Under the contract, Svitzer will supply four high-power Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) escort tugs to assist LNG, LPG and condensate carriers into and out of the Port of Darwin once the project’s onshore processing facility is up and running in late 2017.
Svitzer’s fleet will consist of two existing vessels plus two new-builds and the contract comes with the option to extend it up to a maximum of 19 years.
Mark Malone, managing director, Svitzer Australia, said: “Having already secured contracts with Chevron and PNG-based Oil Search, we are very pleased to add INPEX to the list of global energy suppliers that rely on us to keep their vessels moving. Indeed, our concerted efforts over recent years to take advantage of new opportunities in the off-shore oil and gas industry are paying dividends.
Kasper Friis Nilaus, chief commercial officer, added: “This contract supports our global growth strategy of securing long term agreements for provision of advanced towage and other marine services to the oil and gas segment, and is proof of our status as preferred towage supplier to LNG terminals.”
As well as towage, the other services Svitzer will be required to provide include safety standby, emergency and environment incident response, fire-fighting, support for maintenance work on INPEX’s marine infrastructure and salvage operations within the port.
In addition, to support the expected increase in operational activity within the Port of Darwin, Svitzer will build a new tug base at the East Arm Wharf and expand its local Darwin workforce.