Uzmar Delivers Svitzer Estelle
Svitzer announced the delivery of Svitzer Estelle, the second tug built as part of the company’s ongoing partnership with Uzmar Shipyards, based in Turkey.Svitzer Estelle is a Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAstar 3200W that will be deployed by Svitzer on the River Thames and the River Medway,bolstering the company’s operations in the busy Port of London. The first tug delivered by Uzmar Shipyards in May 2023, Svitzer Elizabeth, is currently in service in the Port of Liverpool. Svitzer’s partnership with Uzmar Shipyards began with the delivery of two tugs for the company’s fleet in Australia.
Svitzer Buys Back Svitzer Pembroke Tug for Milford Haven Ops
Towage provider Svitzer, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has bought 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, Svitzer said.The Svitzer Pembroke was originally built for Svitzer at Zamakona Shipyard, Spain, but in 2014 the vessel was sold, and has operated…
Tug Owner Jailed for Crewman’s Death
A tugboat owner was given an eight-month custodial sentence after his crew member died trying to reattach a tow line in a violent storm. Martin Richley, owner and skipper of 9.5m Medway tugboat Endurance, pleaded guilty to offences under the Merchant Shipping Act at a hearing today at Southampton Crown Court. Richley was charged with being the captain of a vessel put his crew at risk of serious injury/death and as the owner his operations were unsafe under sections 58 and 100 of The Merchant Shipping Act. On February 3, 2013 the Endurance began to tow 60ft motor cruiser Sirus M from the River Medway to Brighton on the south coast of England. Richley was acting as skipper on board the Endurance along with Steven Trice as the crew.
Thamesport’s Woes Signal U.K. Ports Shake Up
Following Evergreen’s recent consolidation of its U.K. cargo handling needs at Felixstowe, the news that Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL and NYK intend to switch their transatlantic services to Southampton will leave Thamesport with no deep sea services. Whilst a return of some deep sea traffic might occur, Thamesport appears to be the first casualty of the impending shake up in U.K. deep sea container ports brought about by the combination of bigger ships, larger alliances – and the new London Gateway terminal. U.K.
Rebuilt Ferry 'Medway Queen' Re-dedicated, Awaits Refit Tow
The 'Medway Queen Preservation Society' (MQPS) reports progress on the restoration of the historic UK River Medway passenger ferry. The re-dedication ceremony was held in the Albion Shipyard in Bristol, and now the tow to Gillingham in Kent (on the same River Medway) is eagerly awaited. The Society say that it is impossible to overstate the achievement of the Albion Dockyard in building this, the first fully rivetted steel hull in the UK for well over 50 years. They have applied a mix of old and new techniques to rebuild a 1924 sip to its original specification.
