Smit Lamnalco renewed its marine support services contract with oil major Shell in Gabon, a deal that has triggered investment in three auxiliary vessel newbuildings, according to the company. The five year contract renewal extends a relationship which dates back to the 1990s and covers support for Shell Gabon’s tanker operations at the remote Gamba Terminal, south of Port Gentil. “The trust Shell Gabon has in our services has sustained through the 2011 merger of Lamnalco and SMIT Terminals.” says Aart van der Wal, Managing Director Smit Lamnalco Africa. The renewal covers the deployment, crewing and management of four Smit Lamnalco support vessels, with three newbuilds ordered in mid-November to replace existing tonnage.