Svitzer AMEA pioneers female training program

Meet Engine Cadet, Nayera Mohamed

The 1st of March 2022 was an important milestone for Svitzer global, and especially for Svitzer AMEA, as a new training program in Egypt saw the light of day and welcomed 12 female cadets. 

The training program is a vital element in the efforts to improve female representation in the AMEA region. Up until recently, there were no female seafarers in the region but after a dedicated effort to change that, 21 female seafarers are now employed in AMEA and more will soon follow. 

The region does not have a strong tradition for promoting diversity and creating equal opportunities and equity in the maritime industry and so special actions have had to be taken to make female seafarers a natural part of the workforce. The female training program in Egypt is a result of that.

In the video you can meet Engine Cadet Nayera Mohamed, who shares a glimpse of her day as well as her dreams and ambitions for the future.

A day in the life of Nayera Mohamed

FLYING HALF-MAST FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that Svitzer joins the UK nation and much of the world in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her 70 years’ reign, the Queen showed strong interest in and support of the maritime industry. Our thoughts are with the entire Royal Family at this difficult time. 

On September 19, the day of the Queen’s funeral, we will naturally honour the UK bank holiday announced by King Charles III, however with our tugs continuing to service customers as needed across the UK. The same will be the case in Australia where the Australian government has announced September 22 as a one-off public holiday and National Day of Mourning to allow the public to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. 

In accordance with the UK government’s guidance, all Svitzer’s tugs in the UK will fly flags at half-mast from now until 8am the day following the Queen’s funeral, and Svitzer crew on duty the night before the funeral will observe the nationwide 1-minute silence taking place at 8pm.

Liverpool Master, Dan Cross, awarded Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service 

It is a great pleasure to announce that Dan Cross, Master on Svitzer Trident, has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service. This is the highest medal of honour within the British maritime sector and is given for significant contributions and exceptional devotion to the industry.  

Daniel Cross, in his 30th year with us, has been a Master with Svitzer in Liverpool and Milford Haven since 2007, is awarded for his services to the towage sector and devotion to the preservation of the iconic SS Daniel Adamson, a historic steam ship, which first set sail in 1903. 

Dan took on the challenge to preserve history and bought the steam ship for £1 in 2004 when it was just 48 hours away from being scrapped. He built a team of one hundred volunteers to restore it to its former glory and after twelve years of hard work, including successfully securing £3.6m in lottery funding, the SS Daniel Adamson now sails around the northwest.  

Through Dan’s restoration efforts, he has supported young people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn, participate and eventually volunteer as part of the ship’s crew and go on to lead careers in engineering and across the maritime sector.   

The iconic 173tn SS Daniel Adamson previously transported cargo, passengers and even royalty across the northwest and was also armed for battle in the First World War. Historical figures, such as Prince George of Denmark, are known to have boarded the ship.  

Commenting on the award, Dan says: “I am deeply honoured to be awarded this wonderful Medal alongside some prestigious recipients over the years. I played a small part in saving and returning the Daniel Adamson back to operational condition for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.” 

“As a key part of ensuring goods keep flowing in and out of the ports and harbours in the UK it is great that services to harbour towage is recognised and the work we do can be remembered through vessels like the Daniel Adamson.” 

Dan will receive his medal in November at a ceremony at Trinity House, London. 

SVITZER'S 'AIM FOR 8' TUG SPEED INITIATIVE SAVES 1000 TONNES OF CO2

COPENHAGEN, 25 August 2022 – Svitzer, leading global towage operator and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has today announced that its Aim for 8 speed initiative – which asks tug crews to navigate at a maximum speed of eight knots during mobilisation and demobilisation – has successfully prevented 1,000 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.

A pilot of the Aim for 8 initiative started in late 2021 across Svitzer’s UK operations and is part of the company’s multi-faceted decarbonisation strategy that was launched in May 2022. The initiative proves that small behavioural changes, when implemented alongside more ambitious and long-term shifts such as fuel and tug design, can have an immediate and measurable impact on the CO2 emissions of the global fleet.

Svitzer’s global fleet of 400 vessels emits the same every year as 100,000 diesel-powered cars, so any immediate CO2 saving can have a big impact. The speed target of eight knots was chosen based on analysis of Svitzer’s tug fleet while mobilising to and from a job and asks and incentivises crews to try to achieve the ‘sweet spot’ of potential fuel efficiency that the company’s analysis identified.

There is a huge potential for speed optimisation during mobilisation and demobilisation, compared to more operationally sensitive moments during a towage job. This is because there is less power demand and more predictable conditions. For some individual tugs, optimising speed to eight knots during mobilisation and demobilisation has improved their efficiency by around 20%.

Commenting on the milestone, Kasper Karlsen, regional COO, Svitzer Europe, said:

“We’re extremely proud to share that our Aim for 8 initiative has reached a milestone of 1,000 tonnes of CO2 saved after less than a year of pilot implementation in the UK. We have been able to make this tangible impact at no cost to our operations and with very little disruption to our way of working, simply by asking our crews to make a small change in behaviour and stay below eight knots before and after the towage job.

“We think that this is real proof of the impact that simple adjustments can make on the industry’s sustainability journey. We’re looking forward to implementing Aim for 8 more widely across Svitzer’s global operations and making an even greater impact on our carbon emissions.” Following its success in the UK, Aim for 8 will now be implemented across Svitzer’s global operations. This will considerably increase the potential CO2 saving from Svitzer’s operations, contributing to the company’s decarbonisation strategy through to 2040. Meanwhile, Svitzer continues to pursue advances in tug design and future fuels that will help propel itself to a carbon neutral future.

Svitzer brazil strengthens fleet with two newbuilds

RIO DE JANEIRO, 16 AUGUST 2022 – Svitzer, leading global towage operator and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has today announced that it is further strengthening its fleet in Brazil with two newbuilds. The two new azimuth stern drive (ASD) 70-ton bollard pull tugboats will be delivered by Brazilian shipyard Rio Maguari in 2024.

In 2021, Svitzer expanded its port coverage in Brazil by adding Suape and Pecem to the footprint and ordering four newbuilds, also to be delivered by Rio Maguari, as part of the company’s strong growth ambitions in Brazil. With the latest two newbuilds, Svitzer Brazil is further strengthening its fleet to meet customer demands.  

Commenting on the investment in new tugs, Daniel Reedtz Cohen, Managing Director Svitzer Brazil says:

“We are running a solid business in Brazil with good volumes and I am very pleased that we are now investing in another two newbuilds as the investment will enable us to expand our port coverage even further to the benefit of our customers. The two new tugs are a vital addition to our existing fleet as they will be equipped with FiFi 1 (firefighting) capabilities, which we know is highly requested by both our customers and port authorities. We have an ambition to serve our customers with Brazilian built vessels and I am therefore also very pleased that we can continue our good partnership with Rio Maguari with this new order.”

The two new tugs will be from the RAmparts 2300 series designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and will be delivered in 2024.

Today, Svitzer Brazil serves seven ports in the country – Suape, Pecem, Santos, Vitoria, Rio Grande, Sao Francisco do Sul and Paranagua – with 17 tugs and employs 160 people.

UECC signs up for Svitzer’s EcoTow solution in Scandinavia

Svitzer today announced that UECC, a leading provider of short sea transportation services for cars and other rolling cargo on the European continent, has signed a three-year contract for Svitzer’s EcoTow product, through which fossil fuels are replaced with biofuels on Svitzer’s tugs.

Biofuels are among the most effective fuels for decarbonisation in the short term as these are readily available and can deliver easy, immediate cuts of as much as 100% in tank-to-wake emissions for existing vessels.

The new partnership will result in a reduction of almost 25% in UECC’s seaborne Scope 3 emissions – covering indirect emissions associated with business operations across IUCC’s value chain. It is estimated that CO2 emissions from UECC’s towage operations at the ports of Esbjerg, Gothenburg and Malmo will be reduced by more than 300,000 kilograms over the term of the agreement with Svitzer.

UECC’s energy & sustainability manager Daniel Gent comments:

“With this agreement, UECC once again positions itself in front of the market, demonstrating that decarbonisation projects are scalable and available. This project aligns with our own supplier policy, which looks to holistically reduce the environmental impact of our business operation, far beyond regulatory requirements.” 

Sven Lumber, head of EcoTow at Svitzer, comments:

“We are extremely pleased to see UECC among the first-movers on EcoTow in Scandinavia. With this agreement they join other global Svitzer customers who partner with us around decarbonisation, gaining the ability to include externally audited CO2 emission savings in their reporting. This shows a strong desire on the part of UECC to demonstrate environmental responsibility.” 

Shipowners will have to meet more stringent environmental performance standards with implementation of the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator from 1 January 2023 and the Fuel EU Maritime regulation due to be phased in from 2025.

NEW SVITZER TUG AT MILFORD HAVEN SUPPORTS FLEXIBLE UK SERVICES

Svitzer Pembroke will strengthen Svitzer’s fleet and emergency towing capabilities in Milford Haven, while freeing up Svitzer Ramsey to support its London operations.

Copenhagen, 06 July 2022: Svitzer, a leading global towage provider and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has today announced the purchase of a new tug to support terminal operations in Milford Haven, UK. The addition of the Svitzer Pembroke to the UK fleet will free up the 86-tonne bollard pull ASD tug Svitzer Ramsey for relocation to London to cater for expected growth at the River Thames and River Medway.

The Svitzer Pembroke was originally built for Svitzer at Zamakona Shipyard, Spain, but in 2014 the vessel was sold, and has operated under the name Boa Odin for the past eight years. The 100-tonne bollard-pull ASD tug has both aft towing winch and firefighting capabilities. This makes the Svitzer Pembroke uniquely suited to supporting Svitzer’s Terminal activities at Milford Haven and strengthens the existing fleet’s emergency response capability.

The arrival of the Svitzer Pembroke in Milford Haven allows Svitzer to redeploy the Svitzer Ramsey to London, where escort tugs with bollard pull from 80 tonnes and upward, plus fire fighting capabilities, are becoming increasingly important for serving customers effectively on River Thames and River Medway.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kasper Karlsen, Chief Operating Officer, Svitzer Europe and interim head of Svitzer in the UK said: “With the purchase of Svitzer Pembroke, we simultaneously accomplish two key goals. Increasing our minimum 80 tonnes bollard pull fleet in London from 6 to 7 tugs allows us to better meet current and future customer demands there. At the same time, we are able to strengthen our ability to provide emergency services and towing at Milford Haven. We are very pleased to once again have Svitzer Pembroke in our fleet.”

The newly reacquired tug has already arrived in the UK and will return to service in the coming months.

Svitzer currently operates more than 70 tugs in the UK and has around 650 employees. The UK has been the launching off point for the company’s EcoTow project, with Svitzer’s entire fleet London, Felixstowe, Southampton and Scotland switching to low carbon biofuels. The service is set to be rolled out across the remaining ports in the UK and across Svitzer’s global operations.

For further information, please contact:

Anders Crillesen
Head of Global Communications
E: anders.crillesen@svitzer.com

Alice Fairless
BLUE Communications
T: 07585 973028
E: alice.fairless@blue-comms.com

From Svitzer Cadet to Sydney Engineer

Q+A with Thomas Gray, former Svitzer Cadet now Sydney Engineer

Why did you join the maritime industry? Were there any key influences in life that inspired you to follow your career path?

I have been attracted to the Maritime industry for as long as I can remember! My brother and I are the 5th generation of my family to work in the industry. We grew up around the ‘working’ Sydney Harbour, so I have always had an interest and passion for all things maritime!  This drove me to pursue a career at sea and once qualified, in the harbour towage sector of our great industry.

What attracted you to Svitzer?

I found out about the Marine Engineers Cadetship Program, through my father who also works in the maritime industry, however I was actively seeking a Cadetship at the time! I was interested in this particular opportunity because I was familiar with Svitzer and excited about the opportunity to work for a reputable company, and the incentives such as job security that comes with working for an industry leading employer. I am very grateful to have gotten my ‘start’ in this career

What has been a career highlight so far?

Highlights, would be obtaining my Marine Engineers Qualifications, and being a part of the dry docking of a Bulk Carrier in China, which was an unforgettable learning experience! It has also been invaluable working alongside highly skilled and knowledgeable maritime professionals, that make a large operation like Svitzer run smoothly.

What advice would you give other young people or new entrants looking to join Svitzer Australia?

The advice I would give is to remain focused on the job and your goals, don’t get distracted or deterred. You should always try to learn something new every day. Finally, have a strong work ethic, this along with continually learning on the job, will ensure you go a long way in this industry!

1 March 2022 was an important milestone for Svitzer AMEAs efforts to improve female representation in the region as a new training program in Egypt saw the light of day and welcomed 10 female cadets. Among them is Trainee Officer Jumana Elkholy who, now three months into the training, shares her journey as part of the Day of the Seafarer celebrations.

Why did you apply for the female training program?

I applied for the training program because I am seeking a more challenging opportunity in my field. The project was especially exciting for me because Svitzer is well-known for its unmatched level of professionalism and growth opportunities.

How has your experience been so far?

It has been a super good experience so far – I am really happy that I joined the program, and every day is full of new experiences and learnings. I always saw tugs assisting the large vessels during the manoeuvres and I never imagined for a moment that one day, I would be the one assisting these vessels. I am very excited, and I learned a lot since the beginning of my training. Without a doubt this is one of the best experiences I’ve had.

What has it meant for you to be part of this first female training program?

I am very happy that I was chosen to participate in such a unique program. It’s the first time I really feel the support for females in the maritime sector and I am excited to be part of it – and proud of Svitzer for being a pioneer.

What are your dreams for the future after the training program?

I hope to assist as many vessels as possible – me and the female crew – and prove that women can do anything. Finally, I wish to continue to be part of the Svitzer family and to achieve more successes with my colleagues.


When a tug caught my eye…

The following was written by AMER Marine Standards Superintendent, Enrique Villanueva, as part of the celebrations leading up to Day of the Seafarer with the theme, ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’.

My maritime career began in 2006, where I first started sailing as a cadet and then later as a deck officer. During my seagoing career, I sailed on container ships but after some years at sea as mate, and by chance of fate, I temporarily relieved a close friend who was working on a tug. The towage industry interested me so much that I decided that my career should follow this pathway — my first change of horizons.

Svitzer came on my radar as 2011 was coming to an end. The story is a bit cheesy and sounds like something from a movie, but it is in fact a true story – and I have colleagues who can testify to that:-) One morning in Callao port in Peru, where I was working on a tug for another company, I was about to go on deck, and when I opened the starboard watertight door, I saw an imposing tug that had recently arrived at the dock on the side. Being amazed by her size, colours, and elegance, I quickly got ready and went out to find out what company it was. This was when I first found out about Svitzer.

I had friends who worked at Svitzer, and they told me about the culture, how safety was a priority and that management supported and encouraged continuous learning and development and rewarded hard work. So based on their assessment and encouragement, I thought I would fit in perfectly with Svitzer. To prepare myself, I gained more experience and knowledge about towage and in December 2013, I applied to Svitzer Peru for a Master position in the Melchorita operations (Peru LNG). I joined in January 2014, and oh! happy coincidence, I got to work on the same vessel that I saw that morning in November 2011 in Callao, the Svitzer Melchorita.

However, I felt that I needed more competences and more experience to make a difference among my colleagues, so I decided to leave Svitzer and go to offshore operations for little over a year. I returned to Svitzer in January 2016, and I have to say that it was a different Enrique that came “home”: more serene, prudent, and solid in his decisions.

When I returned to Svitzer, I was lucky enough to get to work on the Svitzer Melchorita with practically the same crew. I decided to make a difference, relying on the company’s safety culture. My effort was quickly recognized, and I had the trust of the management, which motivated me a lot. During my time as a Tug Captain, I participated in different projects and successful special operations in Peru and led the investigation teams following two severe incidents.

My dedication and commitment bore fruit as I was offered the position as Operations Superintendent in February 2019. The transition from sea to shore was interesting and challenging; it is not easy to go from peer to boss and from leading three persons to leading more than 60. However, with the support of the team and the excellent attitude of the crew, I can say that I was successful. My shipmates are and will continue to be my sea brothers.

In 2021, shortly after my father passed away (to whom I thank the teaching of dedication and discipline at work), I received a new proposal – a new change of horizon – as I was offered the role of Marine Standards Superintendent in the Americas regional office in Panama, which I joined in September 2021.

It has been a gratifying challenge to constantly navigate the sometimes-choppy waters of ship management and deal with the multitude of people involved in the operation of a busy towing company ashore and afloat. Our usual day-to-day activities make for a very full day, but the numerous challenges presented by various other projects make time fly by.

My voyage with Svitzer is definitely not over yet – there are still blank pages to write. I work hard and I continue to learn and train so that I am ready when a new opportunity presents itself.

SVITZER EUROPE UNIFIES UK OPERATIONS

Merging the UK North and South clusters will increase operational agility and optimize service delivery across the region

COPENHAGEN, 7 June 2022 - Svitzer, leading global towage provider and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, today announces the merger of its UK North and UK South clusters, into one unified team. Bringing the teams together will enable Svitzer to streamline its operations, optimize customer service and manage the continued complexity in the region more effectively.

Like most businesses, Svitzer has been affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. In the UK specifically, Svitzer also faces the effects of Brexit, increased competition and continuously developing customer demands, all of which increase the need for regional alignment. Empowering the local organisation and enabling faster decision making is key to remaining highly competitive and maintaining high customer satisfaction in the UK market.

The unified UK cluster will support improvements in reporting and operational agility by establishing a single UK management team; Port Managers, Cluster Technical Managers, the Head of UK Crewing and the Head of Svitzer’s UK Customer Service Center will all report to the cluster MD. 

Commenting on the merger, Lise Demant, Managing Director, Svitzer Europe said: “The UK North and UK South clusters have built a strong business foundation with well-functioning local teams and a solid market position. However, to navigate the increasing market complexity and thrive as a business going forward, we need more unified operations. Merging our UK clusters will further support us in optimising  the use of our assets, increase operational agility and continue improving our service levels in the region.” 

Svitzer currently operates more than 70 tugs in the UK, with around 650 employees. The UK has been the starting point for the company’s EcoTow project, with Svitzer’s entire fleet in London, Felixstowe, and Southampton switching to low carbon biofuels. The service is set to be rolled out across the remaining ports in the UK and across Svitzer’s global operations.

For further information, please contact:

Anders Crillesen
Head of Global Communications
E: anders.crillesen@svitzer.com

SVITZER UNVEILS STRATEGY TO BECOME FULLY CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2040

COPENHAGEN, 31 May 2022 – Svitzer, leading global towage operator and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has today unveiled its decarbonisation strategy that will see the company become fully carbon neutral by 2040.  

The strategy will see Svitzer decarbonise in two phases. Firstly, Svitzer is aiming to reduce the CO2 intensity of its entire fleet by 50% by 2030. This will pave the way for fully carbon neutral operations just ten years’ later in 2040, which is in line with A.P. Moller-Maersk’s ambition.  

As part of the strategy, Svitzer will invest time and capital to embed sustainability throughout its business, in day-to-day operations, in people and how they do their jobs, in its fleet and through the types of fuel used by its vessels. 

Svitzer will measure progress against a 2020 baseline, which saw the company’s fleet of approximately 400 vessels emit 280,000 tonnes of CO2, or the same amount as 110,000 cars.  

Svitzer has already implemented process changes to help spur improved efficiency across its fleet. For example, the company’s ‘Aim for 8’ initiative – which asks crew to optimise their speed during tug mobilisation and demobilisation – has saved over 255 tonnes of Marine Gas Oil (Diesel) in the UK alone. Initiatives like these which influence the behaviour of our staff, combined with improved vessel connectivity, integrated performance monitoring across Svitzer’s fleet and improvements to scheduling optimisation, will help drive down emissions in the short term.  

Svitzer will also focus on changing the fuel mix of its fleet. The success of the organisation’s EcoTow project, which has seen Svitzer’s entire fleets in London, Felixstowe, and Southampton switch to low carbon biofuels, is currently being replicated more widely across ports in the UK and to the company’s global operations. Svitzer will also begin to explore methanol as a fuel for towage and, in the long-term, take required steps to retrofit and renew its fleet in order to operate on low carbon fuel solutions.  

Finally, Svitzer will focus on improving the efficiency of its fleet from a design perspective. As part of this, the company will launch its new and innovative TRAnsverse Tug design, which can generate higher steering forces than most designs of similar dimensions in a smaller, more nimble package with a reduced environmental footprint. The Robert Allan design will come into operation from Q3 2023.   

Commenting on the decarbonisation strategy, Kasper Nilaus, CEO, Svitzer, said:

“We are proud to unveil our strategy to become fully carbon neutral by 2040. We are not committing to these ambitions lightly and understand that it will require leadership and collaboration with our customers, suppliers, industry peers, and ports around the world to ensure success. Widespread changes and investment into the way we work, the fuel we burn, and the composition of our fleet will be required.  

“The work has already started, and the whole team at Svitzer is invigorated by the opportunity to contribute to solving this truly global challenge. We hope that by leading the way for towage we will be able to generate the cleaner, greener future that our children, our industry, ports around the globe and our oceans deserve.  

“We recognise that we can’t do this alone. Collaboration and partnerships with our customers and suppliers will be key, and we look forward to taking the industry along with us in our journey to become carbon neutral by 2040.” 

Gareth Prowse, Head of Decarbonisation, Svitzer, added: “The decarbonisation strategy we are launching today is ambitious and sets a clear roadmap for Svitzer but, most importantly, it is absolutely achievable if we focus on the right areas to generate real progress. That is why we have split our strategy into three pillars: behaviour, equipment, and fuel, and we will focus on each of these in a step change fashion to bring about carbon neutrality in a way that works for our customers and maintains the high level of service Svitzer is known for.”  

Svitzer Americas Takes Delivery of New Tugboat in the Dominican Republic

With the acquisition of the Svitzer Rivas, Svitzer Americas further strengthens its operations and position as the leading towage provider in the Dominican Republic & Caribbean

COPENHAGEN, 5 MAY 2022 – Svitzer, leading global towage provider and part of Maersk, has announced it has taken delivery of a new tugboat to further strengthen its operations in the Dominican Republic. The Svitzer Rivas is an 80 tonnes bollard-pull ASD tug of the Ramparts 2400 XS series, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey.

Svitzer has been present in the Dominican Republic and Caribbean islands since 2010 through a joint venture with Remolcadores Dominicanos. The company is the leading towage provider in the Caribbean, with 26 vessels servicing five countries more than 12 ports in the Caribbean.

Commenting on the delivery of the new tugboat, Arjen van Dijk, Managing Director Svitzer Americas said:

“With this addition to the fleet, we invest in our ability to meet our customers’ demands now as well as in the future. Our operations in the Caribbean are key to Svitzer Americas and by expanding and modernising our fleet, we aim to further strengthen our position as the leading towage provider in the Caribbean.”


Matthias Reinarz, Managing Director Svitzer Caribbean added:

“I am very pleased that we can soon welcome the Svitzer Rivas to the Dominican Republic – a modern and powerful tug, ideally suited to service the range of vessels that call the ports in the country. In the capable hands of our skilled offshore colleagues, Svitzer Rivas will add further efficiency, reliability and safety to the service already provided to our customers in the Dominican Republic.”

The Svitzer Rivas measures 24.40 metres and is driven by two 3.150 HP Caterpillar main engines reaching bollard-pull of 80 tonnes.

In the Americas region, Svitzer employs 835 people and operates 80 vessels, delivering marine services to global and regional customers across 12 countries.

Svitzer Awarded a Silver Accreditation from Thames Green Scheme

We are proud to announce that Svitzer has recently been accredited as a member of the Thames Green Scheme, recognising the company’s efforts to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions.

The Thames Green Scheme is facilitated by the Port of London Authority and recognises commercial and service operators for their environment performance on areas such as air quality, carbon, energy, water quality, litter, and waste. The scheme recognises early adopters of new technologies and fuels that will reduce air emissions and helps customers and businesses pick “green” options that suit their needs and values.

Svitzer has converted its whole fleet of 10 tugs in London and Medway to be powered by marine biofuel and now offers its Ecotow solution which gives customers the opportunity to inset fossil-fuelled towage elsewhere in their value chain. There are two options for how Ecotow works: the first is delivered directly to vessels requiring towage services on the Thames; the second is an option for companies using Svitzer in other ports, who can offset carbon use by calculating the emissions impact of their global towage operations and matching it with a volume of biofuel to be delivered to the London-based fleet.

Commenting on the Green Scheme accreditation, Sven Lumber, Head of EcoTow at Svitzer, said: “I am extremely proud that Svitzer has been awarded the silver accreditation in the Port of London Authority’s Thames Green Scheme for outstanding environmental performance. We are the first towage company to receive this accolade, so the London team is very pleased – and with good reason. This award highlights Svitzer’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions and helping our customers navigate their decarbonisation trajectories through the Ecotow programme.”

Joining the Thames Green Scheme reinforces Svitzer’s active commitment to reducing emissions and engaging with sustainability efforts. As a proud member of the scheme, we are committed to delivering on the Port of London Authority’s environmental mission.

Svitzer Americas Appoints New Managing Director For Svitzer Argentina

Copenhagen, 14 March 2022 – Effective 1 July 2022, Christian Burgauer will take over as new Managing Director for Svitzer Argentina S.A.U., replacing long-time Managing Director, Kees van den Borne, who has decided to pursue new opportunities outside of Argentina.

Svitzer has been operating in Argentina since 2016, where it services its customers with eight vessels in four ports – Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca, Rosario and Necochea – and employs in total 150 people onshore and offshore.

Commenting on the appointment, Arjen van Dijk, Managing Director Svitzer Americas said:

“I am very pleased to announce that Christian Burgauer will take over the helm as new Managing Director for Svitzer Argentina. Christian has been with Svitzer Argentina since the beginning and has worked closely with Kees van den Borne in establishing Svitzer’s presence and position in Argentina. I am therefore confident that Svitzer Argentina is in good hands and that Christian is the right person to further develop and strengthen our operations in the country. I also want to thank Kees van den Borne for his strong dedication and efforts these past five years, he has been instrumental in securing Svitzer a good market position in Argentina under challenging circumstances.”

Christian Burgauer has been Chief Financial Officer with Svitzer Argentina since 2017 and he is looking forward to taking on the position as Managing Director:

“I am very excited about the opportunity to head Svitzer’s operations in Argentina, and I look forward to further developing our services together with the team to ensure that Svitzer continues to deliver safe, reliable and efficient towage services to our customers in the local Argentinean ports where we operate.”

As of 1 April 2022, Eduardo Chiazzaro will join Svitzer Argentina as new CFO – he comes from a position as Head of Finance with APM Terminals in Argentina.

In the Americas region, Svitzer employs 835 people and operates 80 vessels, delivering marine services to global and regional customers across 12 countries.

Svitzer announces duo of new appointments to global leadership team

Pernille Brandis Rosengaard becomes Global Head of Group Branding & Communications and Emilie Bruun appointed as new Chief People Officer

COPENHAGEN, 21 February 2022 – Leading towage operator Svitzer has made two new appointments to its Global Leadership Team based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company has announced today.

Svitzer Europe’s Head of Communications Pernille Brandis Rosengaard becomes Global Head of Group Branding & Communications. Meanwhile, from 21 February, Emilie Bruun joins from Danish multinational medical company Coloplast to become Svitzer’s new Chief People Officer.

For Emilie, the appointment marks a return to the Maersk family, having spent the first six years of her career as Global HR Business Partner and then Head of Strategic HR at Maersk Tankers. Emilie holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from University of Copenhagen and joins Svitzer having gained extensive experience across several industries within both traditional and transformational HR – with a particular focus on organisational development, leadership and cultural transformation. Now, Emilie will be leading the work around bringing Svitzer’s purpose and growth agenda to life through Svitzer’s most important assets – its people across sea and shore.

Meanwhile, Pernille’s new role sees her promoted from managing Svitzer’s European communications strategy to become responsible for Global brand and communications efforts. Pernille has a Master’s degree in Public Relations and has worked with Svitzer for nearly five years, during which time she has built and executed strategies that not only unite sea and shore employees but that also resonate in a market dominated by fierce competition.

Both new appointees will report directly to Svitzer’s CEO Kasper Nilaus and will become part of Svitzer’s Global Leadership Team.

Commenting on the announcement, Kasper Nilaus, Chief Executive Officer, Svitzer, said: “I am pleased to welcome Emilie and Pernille to Svitzer’s Global Leadership Team. Their capabilities within their fields are unparalleled, and it is clear they share a deep drive to help us collectively execute Svitzer’s ambitious strategy for the coming years.

“These appointments come at an important time for Svitzer, as we aim to partner up even more closely with our customers and spearhead our innovation and growth agenda. Achieving these goals requires us to continually shape our culture and evolve in our leadership. I am looking forward to working with Emilie and Pernille to bring Svitzer’s deep purpose to life within our organisation and then clearly communicate our efforts and passion to the market.”

A career with Svitzer can take many directions – meet Huda Majed, Operations Assistant in Bahrain

Each of the more than 4,000 people working with Svitzer has their own story about how they came to work for the company. For 25-year-old Huda Majed, Operations Assistant in Bahrain, a government sponsored female internship became her way into Svitzer. Read on to learn more about Huda Majed’s inspiring career path.

On 1 August 2021, Huda Majed and two other female colleagues began a three-month internship with Svitzer Bahrain. The internship programme was part of a government sponsored initiative in Bahrain called FURAS – in Arabic, FURAS means “chances” and the goal of the programme was to make it easier for the local Bahraini youth to enter the job market.

After finishing the internship, Huda Majed was promoted to Operations Assistant and as of 1 November 2021, she has been working at the Svitzer office in Bahrain.

“We were three interns to begin with, but there was only one position available when the internship finished, and so I was very proud when I was selected for the promotion. I have worked hard to get here, and I find it very rewarding to be able to use my skills and competencies to ensure that we run a safe and efficient operation here in Bahrain.”

Huda Majed

Huda Majed has a degree in logistics management from Bahrain Polytechnic and while she was a student, she worked as an intern at Awal Gulf Co. in the logistics department, where she gained extensive knowledge within logistics, including scheduling of shipments, certificates requirements, internal communication within departments and dealing with carriers.

For her final year project, Huda Majed worked with the Bahrain Public Transport Company and after graduating she worked as an intern at the Gulf Customer Experience Company (Gulf CX). Finally, when completing the internship, she was contacted by the Ministry of Labour and invited to an interview with Svitzer Bahrain, who were collaborating with the Ministry of Labour as part of Svitzer AMEA’s continuous efforts to support and promote gender diversity in the region and the maritime industry.

“I was very excited to attend the interview since I have always been interested in the maritime industry. I had heard about Maersk and Svitzer when I was a student at Polytechnic, and I was therefore very happy to be offered the internship with Svitzer and subsequently the position as Operations Assistant. I love being part of Svitzer and to put all my effort and expertise into my job”, Huda Majed concludes.   

Svitzer awarded Western Australia LNG terminal contract with Woodside

Svitzer to provide terminal towage and pilot transfer services at Woodside LNG export terminals

Sydney, Australia, 31 January 2022 – Svitzer, a leading global towage provider and part of Maersk, has entered into a 10 year contractual arrangement with Woodside Energy Limited (Woodside) for the provision of towage and pilot transfer services at Woodside’s LNG export operations in the Port of Dampier, commencing from the end of 2023.

Following an innovative open tender process, Svitzer will provide five modern 80-ton bollard pull tugboats to service the critical towage needs for the shipping of export LNG cargoes. Svitzer will also provide one new pilot transfer vessel for pilot transfer services to support Woodside and its joint venture operations.

This tender outcome will see Svitzer provide world-class services to Woodside that deliver value and efficiency, while significantly reducing emissions across fleet operations by deploying smart and innovative enhancements to the tugs’ design and operating model.

Commenting on the contract award, Nicolaj Noes, Managing Director for Svitzer Australia said:

"We are honoured to have been chosen as Woodside’s long-term provider of towage services for its flagship LNG operations in Western Australia. This important contract consolidates Svitzer’s leading position in providing towage services to LNG operations and expands our ability to provide safe and efficient towage and marine services to support our customers around the globe.

“Svitzer looks forward to collaborating with Woodside to further reduce emissions from its tug operations by incorporating the latest proven new technologies over the term of the contract.

“It is a key priority for Svitzer to contribute positively to the local communities where we operate. A key outcome of the tender will be the commissioning of a new pilot transfer vessel to be built in WA, and providing a tailored training and professional development package for a WA-based workforce.

With a strong focus on emissions reduction, delivering value and efficiency, and supporting local industries, we look forward to working closely with Woodside and the team in Western Australia."

Svitzer AMEA extends contract with Suez Canal Authority
– two additional tugs to join the existing fleet

Copenhagen 24 January 2022 – Svitzer, leading global towage provider and part of Maersk, is today announcing another extension of its current contract with the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) to include two additional tugs to service the Suez Canal.

Svitzer started operating in the Suez Canal in late 2019 with the two tugs Svitzer Port Said 1 and Svitzer Port Said 2, providing towage services to the SCA out of Port Said. In December 2021, the two tugs were joined by sister vessels Svitzer Suez 1 and Svitzer Suez 2 and from end May 2022, two additional tugs will join the fleet in the Suez Canal. – one will be operating out of Port Said and one out of Port Suez.

With the newest additions to the fleet, Svitzer will operate six vessels in the Suez Canal and employ 120 Egyptian seafarers.

Nicolai Vinther Friis, Managing Director Svitzer AMEA commented:

“We have had a close and strong collaboration and relationship with the SCA since 2019 based on mutual trust and respect as well as a desire to offer the best services to the thousands of vessels passing through the Suez Canal every year. I am equally happy and grateful that the SCA has awarded Svitzer yet another extension of the existing towage services contract and I look forward to continuing our close partnership with the SCA.”

Turkish tugboat builder Med Marine will deliver the two vessels, both RAstar 2800 75tonnes bollard pull tugs with firefighting capabilities and escort notation, designed by Robert Allan Ltd.

With a fleet of 110 vessels operating in seven ports and 11 terminals across 12 countries in the region, Svitzer is a leading towage provider in the AMEA (Africa, Middle East & Asia) region.

Svitzer Applies to Terminate Enterprise Agreement with Maritime Unions

Svitzer, Australia’s largest tug operator, has lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission to terminate its Enterprise Agreement with maritime unions, the MUA, AMOU and AIMPE.

This follows two years of negotiations with the 3 maritime unions, involving more than 50 meetings and two conciliation sessions facilitated by the Fair Work Commission.

Nicolaj Noes, Managing Director of Svitzer Australia, said he was extremely disappointed that the negotiations had come to nothing after so much effort: “Svitzer has been bargaining in good faith for over two years. The process is exhausted. Terminating the agreement is a first step to a realistic resolution”.

The current Enterprise Agreement, which lapsed in 2019, has enabled restrictive work practices and interference in managerial and operational decision-making, leading to inefficiencies and limitations on workplace productivity.

“The 2016 EA contains a plethora of restrictive work practices and interference in managerial and operational decision-making which are aimed at reducing productivity and utilization and increase the company’s fixed costs. Svitzer is not prepared to agree to a new EA that replicates legacy terms which had been agreed more than 22 years ago, in a completely different market. We are looking to secure an EA which reflects the current market and meets our customers’ demands and expectations,” said Noes.

Should the Fair Work Commission terminate the 2016 Enterprise Agreement, the existing enterprise agreement would cease to cover or apply to Svitzer and its approximately 540 employees will be covered by the Marine Towage Award 2020. During this time, Svitzer is committed to continue to bargain to reach a fit for purpose EA.

Further information:

Nick Howe
M: +61 (0) 407 183 221
E: nhowe@gracosway.com.au

Tim Duncan
M: +61 (0) 408 441 122
E: tduncan@gracosway.com.au

MEETING CUSTOMER NEEDS WITH TAILOR-MADE SOLUTIONS

BECOMING THE PREFERRED LNG PROJECT PARTNER

Liquified natural gas (LNG) is an important fuel used worldwide and its use has surged exponentially over the last decade or so. In line with this, Svitzer ’s experience with LNG projects has grown and today Svitzer is involved in some of the most prestigious projects around the world and has long-term contracts with leading companies in the industry.

In 18 operations across 11 countries, a fleet of 102 vessels is performing a multitude of services such as berthing and unberthing, pilotage, supporting ship to ship transfer, crew transfer, supply services, assistance with maintenance of the LNG terminal, channel buoy maintenance, safety and security standby, emergency response, and firefighting.

The services provided vary from operation to operation and are tailor-made to meet the customer’s specific needs as well as the conditions of the location in question. In general, operating LNG terminals – be it import or export facilities, floating LNG terminals or a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) – is a complex undertaking. And in many of the locations where Svitzer operates, challenging weather conditions only add to the complexity – for instance severe ice conditions in Russia, currents of up to six knots in Angola, two-meter swell and fog in Peru and a sensitive and delicate ecosystem in Australia to name a few.


SAFETY FIRST

Keywords are reliability, safety, and timely performance, as LNG carrier ships are in high demand and so is the need for quick turnaround times.

Each operation differs from the next and therefore each location must be carefully assessed as to which skills are required to ensure the operation is carried out safely and efficiently. Towing LNG carriers in icy waters compared to vessel manoeuvres in high winds and seas have their own individual challenges, and the masters and pilots must manoeuvre the ships in confined spaces as well as open seas. The tugs must therefore have state-of-the-art equipment, including high-end complex winching systems, to ensure operations are completed with the utmost precision – in many cases with less than a few meters to spare.

The interaction and communication must be precise and clear with each team member working closely together from start to finish. The most technical part is the complex way the masters have to handle the ASD tugs (Azimuth Stern Drive) specifically designed for such manoeuvres with LNG vessels. ASD methods have changed dramatically over the years – particularly with regards to high-speed ships, where direct towage methods are no longer practicable and/or effective in many situations and scenarios. Therefore, the tug masters must be able to control the tugs at very high speed while simultaneously towing very powerful vessels, hence striking the balance between power and manoeuvrability is crucial.

Svitzer works proactively together with its customers to ensure safe, reliable and efficient services. The mantra is “safety first” and Svitzer analyses each operation carefully and carries out extensive risk assessments together with the customer by bridging the standards of all parties involved in the operations, which then become the operational standard that ensures the safety of people, assets and the environment.

In most cases, LNG vessels are escorted by LNG vessel compatible tugs which have escort notation and full firefighting capabilities with specific enhancements to handle LNG cargo, including positive pressure systems enabling the tugs to engage in emergency response in the unlikely event of an incident.


THE PREFERRED LNG PROJECT PARTNER

The future for LNG looks promising and as it is the cleanest fossil fuel, more and more consuming nations are looking towards LNG to replace coal, especially in Asia which is still operating on coal for producing power.

The past ten years have seen an increase in countries with access to LNG and with the development of floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) technology, changes in local gas demand and supply can be met fairly easily as FSRUs are quicker and easier to establish compared to land-based terminals.

For Svitzer, this development represents promising growth opportunities and the goal is clear; to become the preferred LNG project partner by providing clients a solid experience with greenfield projects, a strong focus on safety, a proven track record of delivering reliable and efficient services and by applying global capabilities, know-how, network and synergies locally.

Choose your career path at Svitzer

Your career at Svitzer is exactly that, your career. As our team spans across the globe, we want to highlight the many different pathways in which a career at Svitzer can take.

Meet Deniz Kirdar True

Deniz Kirdar True joined the Svitzer Australia team as General Manager East Coast in the second half of 2020.

Deniz oversees all of Svitzer Australia's East Coast and South Australian ports in this role. In a position where no two days are the same, Deniz's extensive experience in Svitzer, and before that Maersk, has set her up to lead Svitzer Australia's local port operations teams across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Starting her career in the big world of Maersk, Deniz recognises the benefits of being part of large global group of companies but highlights that Svitzer offers something attractive and unique for people wanting to work close to the action in the towage world.

"The ability to create change that one can see the impact in a short period. Our lean organisation and closeness to the operation are key to this and one of the most rewarding aspects of working in Svitzer. And needless to say, tugs are super cool."

Joining Svitzer in 2014, Deniz's first role with Svitzer was as Chief Operating Officer, Europe in London in 2014, then as Head of Operational Excellence in Copenhagen before stepping in as General Manager - East Coast in Australia.

Each role was quite different but all gave Deniz exposure to multiple regions, operations, and teams driving her approach to her work, and says that it gives great perspective when working through day to day work and as well as for long term strategy.

"Having worked in two regions and in the global headquarter, I find it super useful to be able to view matters with different lenses and from different angles."

"While our core business is the same, there is an enormous opportunity for learning across different locations as the specific country and region context adds an additional layer."

In her leadership style, Deniz truly embodies her advice for colleagues and anyone stepping into a career with Svitzer.

"Be curious and interested in what is happening elsewhere in the business, connect with others in the similar roles in other locations, raise your hand when there is an opportunity to join a cross-regional or cross-functional project to learn more about different areas."

Higher force, lighter design and less fuel consumption: Svitzer introduces TRAnsverse tug

COPENHAGEN, 6 DECEMBER 2021 – Today, global towage operator Svitzer announced an agreement with Robert Allan Ltd. and Sanmar Shipyards to build the TRAnsverse Tug, the next generation multipurpose tug.

The innovative TRAnsverse Tug is able to generate higher steering forces than most designs of similar dimensions and comes with an innovative staple design and unique ability to push, pull and manoeuvre in all directions – all neatly wrapped in a smaller and nimbler tug boat. With omni-directional hull form and propulsion, steering forces over the full range of speeds & manoeuvres, and a unique towing arrangement, the compact and more fuel-efficient TRAnsverse Tug is scalable and suitable for all types of harbour and terminal towage operations.

The TRAnsverse Tug will be fitted with the Svitzer Catcher and other equipment to automate operational elements. It brings together the best of Svitzer innovations and looking ahead, it will be the ground design for the recently announced carbon neutral methanol fuel cell tug that Svitzer and Maersk are developing together with Robert Allan Ltd.

Commenting on the announcement of the TRAnsverse Tug, Svitzer COO Ingrid Uppelschoten Snelderwaard said:

“This tug is a game changer. Our customers expect us to deliver flexible and environmentally friendly towage services at a competitive price and it is our passion to think out of the box and deliver innovative solutions to meet these expectations. I am proud that we are able to pave the way for future tug designs and at the same time ease the transition from the marine fuel we use today to the future carbon neutral fuels that we are transitioning to over the coming years.”

Together with a core Svitzer team, Thomas Bangslund, Svitzer’s Head of Technical Innovation, has led the invention of the new tug design that after a series of successful tank tests and simulations is now ready to be built by Sanmar with Robert Allan Ltd as the designer.

“It is highly rewarding to see this multipurpose and very versatile tug become a reality. It started as a wish to improve efficiency in our operations and is now materialising as a powerful and cost-efficient tug with the potential to reduce both operational cost and CO2 emissions, while improving the safety margins in operations. The design combines the best of our innovative powers and I truly believe that this kind of customer focused innovation is what the towage industry needs to stay relevant,” said Thomas Bangslund.

In collaboration with Robert Allan, the first-ever Svitzer TRAnsverse Tug will be built for harbour towage in Svitzer Europe, with expected delivery in Q3 2023.

Commenting on the TRAnsverse Tug, James R. Hyslop, Manager, Project Development, Robert Allan Ltd., said:

“Robert Allan Ltd. is very excited to be part of the team that will bring this new and innovative tug design to the towage market. Integrating all these technologies into one vessel has never been done before and it was a real challenge to do it in a way that is safe, functional, and economic. It was only after an exhaustive tank testing program at HSVA Hamburg, with valuable input from Svitzer’s Masters, that the final layout was determined. Our design team is looking forward to the opportunities that will come with the construction and testing of this tug, as it paves the way for future newbuilds in the Svitzer fleet.”

Commenting on the TRAnsverse Tug, Ali Gurun, Manager, Vice President, Sanmar Shipyards, said:

“We are proud to be a part of this very specialised project in which we will be happy to incorporate our experience and know how.”

About the TRAnsverse Tug

The first TRAnsverse Tug will be a 25.8m 60t Bollard Pull tug built to comply with the Tier III emissions regulations. The tug is designed with thrusters in line and an omni-directional hull form. To make full use of its advanced capabilities the tug is equipped with a render recovery double drum escort winch and a set of 100 T SWL tow pins. In addition to its innovative design emphasis have been put on ease of operation for the onboard crew implementing technologies such as the Svitzer Catcher to allow for line handling from the bridge.

Choose your career path at Svitzer

Your career at Svitzer is exactly that, your career. As our team spans across the globe, we want to highlight the many different pathways in which a career at Svitzer can take.

With over 4100 employees based in over 30 countries and spanning 80 different nationalities, we truly are a global company with opportunities that can take you worldwide.

For Daniel Reedtz Cohen, Managing Director of Svitzer Brazil, this is especially true as his career path within Svitzer hasn't been a straight line, but one that has brought him all over the world and allowed him to gain valuable experience along the way.

Watch the video below to hear from Daniel as he shares his career journey and what, or rather who, drives his engagement within Svitzer (Hint: they are at the core of what we do)

Europe

Regional Commercial Team
Sara Gerdner Kalle
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

Americas

Regional Commercial Team
Rutger Thulin
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

Australia

Regional Commercial Team
Veronica Jensen
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact

AMEA

Regional Commercial Team
Ralph Franjul
Regional CCO
 
For operational matters, please find local contacts below
Local contact