SAAM SMIT Towage Brazil Signs on with Helm
Helm Operations has signed on Brazilian harbor services company SAAM SMIT Towage to its Helm Marine Operations software to manage its billing and dispatch.
SAAM SMIT Towage started towage operations in Brazil in 2008 and is now active in eight ports and terminals. SAAM SMIT provides assistance to incoming and outgoing seagoing vessels – including ro-ro ships, oil and chemical tankers, container ships, reefers and mixed cargo ships.
Robert Martijn Smits, Commercial Manager of SMIT Brazil, said that reliability was a deciding factor in their choice of Helm. “We chose Helm because with the expansion of SAAM SMIT Towage in Brazil we needed a confident, 100% reliable and professional dispatch system to accompany us in our growth. Our group already uses Helm in another part of the world with positive feedback and together with the professional explanations and demonstrations received we think with Helm we have found this partner to do so.”
Ron deBruyne, CEO and Founder of Helm Operations said he was pleased to be partnering with SAAM SMIT Towage Brazil. “We have enjoyed working with SAAM SMIT Towage Canada for the last nine years, so of course we are very pleased to be working with another SAAM SMIT company,” said deBruyne. SAAM SMIT Canada operates 21 tugs out of seven ports on the west coast of Canada.
deBruyne also expressed excitement about introducing Helm’s harbor services solution into the South American market. “We believe there is a great growth opportunity for software in the South American towage and barging market,” said deBruyne.
