MN 100: Smit International N.V.

Rosmolenweg 20
Papendrecht, 3356 LK, Netherlands
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.smit.com
Chairman of the Executive Board: Ben Vree

The Company:
In 1842, 65-year-old Fop Smit began using a 140hp paddle steamer to guide vessels safely into the Port of Rotterdam, and thus L. Smit & Co. was born. The company went through various stages of expansion, notably adding salvage services to its operations in the mid 1900s, and gradually grew into an internationally-operating outfit offering a wide range of maritime services. Today known as SMIT, a member of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. since 2010, the company has been providing maritime services, including towage, salvage, transport and heavy lift for nearly 170 years.

The Case:
With access to the Boskalis group’s 1,100 vessels, SMIT Salvage aids ships in distress (OPA-90), wreck removal, environmental care and consultancy) globally by operating out of four locations strategically situated in Rotterdam, Houston, Cape Town and Singapore. SMIT performs ship salvage and removes hazardous substances such as bunker fuel from wrecks. Recent high-profile operations include oil containment for the Costa Concordia and salvage of MOL Comfort. SMIT utilizes a fleet of more than 200 tugs to assist seagoing vessels in the world’s biggest ports in countries including the Canada, Brazil, and Panama.

(As published in the August 2014 edition of Marine News - http://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeNews)