Cory Towage News

Through its subsidiary, Cory Towage Limited, The Wijsmuller Group has been awarded a contract for marine services at the Ash Shihr oil export terminal in Yemen for Canadian Occidental Petroleum Yemen, which is familiarly known as CanOxy Yemen. The Ash Shihr terminal deals with crude originating inland, which is piped to the terminal storage tanks from where it is then pumped to loading tankers at the single point mooring buoy (SPM) - three miles offshore. The SPM can handle the largest tankers and regularly receives vessels of 300,000-dwt. The contract, which commenced June 1, entails the provision of a specialist multipurpose vessel, a linehandling tug, operation of a pollution control vessel and maintenance of the SPM both above and below water.

Italian prowess in the field of passenger vessel design, outfitting and technology is near legendary status in the international marine community. Even as the grip on these high-value, niche vessels loosens — largely due to cost-cutting competition from the Far East — a quick peak a the world orderbook and recent deliveries of cruise ships quickly tells who currently reigns supreme in the cruise shipping market. Evidence of Italian influence in the passenger vessel segment is undeniable, and over the years the country's shipbuilders have catered to some of the world's most discerning and quality demanding customers, such as U.S.-based Disney Cruise Line.

Shannon Tugs, a 50/50 joint venture between Cory Towage and Marine Transport Services, has signed a three-year extension to its existing contract with Foynes Port Authority. The company has upgraded its tug fleet to accommodate larger vessels, which are expected to be calling at Foynes. Currently expanding its facilities, the Port of Foynes has just finished a $16.6 million extension to its main jetty, bringing the quay length to 886 ft. (270 m). An additional $3.3 million will be used for dredging and new navigation lights, according to FPA's harbormaster, Captain Senan Histon.

Cory Towage has been granted a contract to provide a variety of marine services in the Baltic at the newly built import/export oil terminal at Butinge in Lithuania. The agreement, which began in March, was awarded by Lithuania's state-owned oil company, Mazeikiu Nafta, and is centered around a single point mooring (SPM) facility for the export of Russian crude oil. Cory's function in this venture entails provision of tanker berthing and general marine support, including the provision of two vessels - a berthing tug and a workboat, and berthing/loading masters, operation of oil spill recovery equipment and maintenance services above and below the water for the SPM. T Located about five miles offshore, the SPM can accommodate tankers of up to 80,000-dwt.

While Z-Drive can still be considered a "revolutionary" design trait of today's tugboats, engineers aren't resting on their laurels. New technical standards being introduced are testimony to designers' creativity and imagination; and the functionality is improved, as well. The use of tugs with either Z-drive or VSP propulsion have led to much faster, safer and more efficient ship-assist operations, without fail, says Robert Allan, of the marine engineering firm, Robert Allan Ltd. In fact, he adds, some tug companies with Z-drive tugs have had insurance premiums lowered because of the reduced risk of them damaging an attended ship with better tugs. But in no way have tugs evolved to their highest achievable level. The birth of such innovative designs was not unexpected, says Allan.