History
For 191 years, Svitzer has been providing customised marine services to clients worldwide
Dating back almost two centuries
With roots stretching back nearly two centuries, we’re not only a company with a history, but a company with a strong heritage.
Part of that heritage is a distinct set of principles passed down from our company’s founder that guide our focus on safety, people, vessels and solutions.
These principles have helped us become a company that our customers value for our safety, reliability, local content and focus on doing business in a sustainable manner.
1833
Svitzer is established as a pioneering salvage company.
1842
Svitzer buys its first professional diving equipment.
1860
Svitzer salvages a steamship from the bottom of a Swedish lake and rebuilds it into Svitzer’s first steam engine salvage vessel.
1870
Svitzer enters the towage business.
1914-1970
Svitzer gains recognition with its expertise as it continues to assist vessels in distress during turbulent times of war.
1956
Svitzer is chosen by the UN to handle the Suez Canal clearance operation.
1978
Svitzer builds an 11,000 hp and 110 bp vessel – one of the most powerful anchor handling tugs for offshore work at the time.
1979
The Maersk Group becomes majority shareholder of Svitzer.
1999
Svitzer begins its geographical expansion with the purchase of Swedish towage company Röda Bolaget.
2001
The acquisition of the Wijsmiller’s operation added 140 vessels in more than 20 countries worldwide, cementing Svitzer’s position in global towage.
2007
The acquisition of Adsteam Marine added 150 tugs plus barages, workboats in Australiasia and the UK.
2012
Svitzer sets a revolutionary environmental standard with the launch of the ECOtug.
2017
Svitzer partners with Rolls Royce to test the world’s first remotely-operated commercial vessel to improve safety, efficiency and reliability in maritime operations.
2021
Svitzer introduces EcoTow, an immediate carbon solution to decarbonise harbour towage by utilising sustainable fuels.
2023
Svitzer starts building the first three vessels of its award-winning innovative tugboat design, the TRAnsverse tugboat with expected delivery in 2024. Svitzer has registered the TRAnsverse name as a trademark in a number of jurisdictions and has patented the stable, a specific key feature of the TRAnsverse design.
