After 25 Years, Smit International Keeps Evolving
Although Smit International graced the marine industry with its presence in 1975, the company actually began in the mid-18th century as a shipbuilder, which would eventually evolve into its current state as a diversified marine service provider. Known as Smit International Singapore, the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Smit International BV — a Dutch company listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Smit formed a regional office in Singapore as a strategic move for expansion in the Far East. It was quick planning on the part of the company as it noted the region's ever-growing significance, as well as its large potential as a maritime hub at that time.
Keppel Singmarine Lands $5.5 Million Harbor Tug Contract
Keppel Smit Towage Private Limited (KST), has recently signed a contract with Keppel Singmarine Dockyard Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine) to build two 3,600 bhp harbor tugs for a contract value of about $5.5 million, with an option for a further two tugs. These two tractor tugs will have a bollard pull of 47 tonnes. As with all the other tugs in KST's fleet, they will include fire-fighting capability. With these specifications, the tugs will be able to assist all types of vessels including VLCCs berthing at deep water berths. With the delivery of these two newbuildings at the end of the year, KST will have a combined fleet of 26 tugs ranging between 3,000 to 4,000 bhp.
