Wijsmuller Granted Major SPM Job

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. During loading operations, which can sometimes last more than two days, the multipurpose vessel Riyan attaches a tow line to the stern of the tanker so it holds itself clear of the SPM.