KOTUG Guyana Inc, a 100% subsidiary of KOTUG International, is proud to announce a significant milestone since its inception in 2019 in Guyana. On 24 June 2024, Osman Munir, Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at KOTUG Group of Companies and Director of KOTUG Guyana Inc, received approval for the company’s Local Content Plans from Dr. Martin Pertab, Director of the Local Content Secretariat, during a hand-over ceremony at the Local Content Office. The approval of KOTUG Guyana’s Local Content Plans from the Local Content Secretariat includes the receipt of the Local Content Compliance Certificate. 

This approval recognises KOTUG Guyana’s strong commitment to the local content requirements under the Guyana Local Content Act.  Since 2019, KOTUG’s presence in Guyana has grown significantly, with currently five vessels operating for ExxonMobil Guyana Limited with Guyanese seafarers onboard making up approximately 21% of our workforce.  

We remain steadfast in our dedication to enhancing local content through sustained investment in spending, procurement, employment, training opportunities and initiatives, and local capacity building. Over the next years, KOTUG Guyana will strongly focus on maximising local spending, employment and providing equal opportunities for Guyanese nationals. 

As per the Local Content Act requirements, KOTUG Guyana has developed two comprehensive local content plans: a 5-year masterplan focusing on long-term spending, employment, training, and capacity building strategies as well as a detailed Annual Local Content Plan for 2024 with specific targets and KPIs.  

This recognition marks a significant milestone towards KOTUG’s vision for sustainable growth, development and local empowerment in Guyana. We are excited to continue our journey, driving positive change and making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. 

KOTUG International B.V. (‘KOTUG’) proudly announces the signing of a significant framework agreement with Padmos for the construction of the complete E-Pusher lineup, comprising the S, M, and L models. This agreement marks a pivotal milestone for KOTUG, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting the global energy transition and facilitating the modal shift from road transport to waterways.

The framework agreement follows the successful commissioning of the groundbreaking E-Pusher 1 (M model), constructed by Padmos in conjunction with KOTUG. Since June 2023, the E-Pusher 1 has been navigating the waters for Cargill in the North Holland region, transporting cocoa beans from Amsterdam to Zaandam. This fully electric pusher boat, with barges, reduces CO2 emissions by 190,000 kg per year, equivalent to 15,000 single truck trips covering the same distance.

Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG International: “Our collaboration with Padmos marks a significant stride towards advancing sustainable maritime practices. The E-Pusher series underscores our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.”

Leon Padmos, CEO Padmos: “We are proud to build upon our cooperation with KOTUG in
pioneering the construction of the E-Pusher lineup. Our shared vision for sustainable maritime solutions drives this partnership, and we are excited about the transformative impact these vessels will have on the industry.”

The E-Pusher™ Series
The E-Pusher is a modular and scalable electric pusher tug. The E-Pusher Series comprises three models (S, M and L) ranging from 9 to 22 meters in length, with a maximum depth of 0.85 to 1.35 meters, resulting in a draft 30% less than conventional pusher tug designs. The swappable energy containers encompass Stage V diesel, (Bio)gas, Hydrogen, and battery solutions.

The E-Pusher series embodies state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge propulsion systems, establishing a new standard in emission-free navigation. The vessels are equipped to eliminate harmful emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphuroxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).

Georgetown, Guyana

KOTUG Guyana, a local subsidiary of KOTUG International, a leading maritime service provider known for its innovative towage solutions, recently welcomed Dr. Martin Pertab, Director of the Local Content Secretariat (LCS), and his team aboard the SD Power, a state-of-the-art Offshore Terminal tug, at the Guyana Shore Base in Georgetown. This visit underscores the ongoing partnership between the LCS and major contractors in the oil and gas sector, emphasising KOTUG’s dedication to supporting operations in Guyana. 

The SD Power is one of the five Offshore Terminal Tugs under KOTUG Guyana’s fleet, actively contributing to the maritime operations essential to the oil and gas industry. All tugs are equipped with Azimuth Stern Drive (‘ASD’) and Dynamic Positioning Class 2 (‘DP-2’) along with double-ended control ability with winches placed forward and aft on the vessel. The engagement provided the LCS with an opportunity to observe KOTUG’s operations firsthand and to engage directly with the personnel driving these critical services. 

Dr. Pertab highlighted the visit’s purpose as a step towards strengthening collaborations and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities present in the industry. “Our visit today is a testament to our belief in the power of partnership. Working closely with leaders in the oil and gas sector, like KOTUG, allows us to directly contribute to the development of local content and ensure a sustainable future for Guyana,” Dr. Pertab commented. 

In response to the visit, Willem Van Woercom, Corporate Operations Director of KOTUG Guyana, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering local talent and resources. “We are honoured to host the LCS team and showcase our efforts in integrating local content into our operations. KOTUG is committed to providing exceptional maritime services and building and nurturing the capabilities of our Guyanese team members. Our plan to steadily increase the number of local professionals in our operations is a testament to this commitment. We see great value in collaborating with the LCS and other local stakeholders to drive forward mutual goals of development and prosperity,” stated Van Woercom. 

The visit facilitated interactions between the LCS delegation and key Guyanese team members onboard, including Hemchand Deosaran, Operations Manager; Stanley Ramsammy, Port Engineer; and Chief Mate Reynard Ramsaroop of the SD Power. These engagements highlighted the valuable contributions of local professionals to KOTUG’s operations and their pivotal role in the industry’s success in Guyana. 

Currently, there are 27 Guyanese supporting KOTUG’s operations, with plans to increase this number and continue leveraging local goods and services, further solidifying KOTUG’s investment in Guyana’s growth. 

We need your votes!

We are excited to announce that KOTUG has been shortlisted for the prestigious International Tug & Salvage Awards 2024 in the category of ‘Tug Owner of the Year Award’!

We have been recognised for our rapid expansion transforming into global offshore and terminal towage leader, innovations in emission-free electric inland tugs and AI scheduling tools, offering solutions and services even to competitor companies and strong acquisitions and FPSO contract wins.

The ITS Awards recognise outstanding vessels, operators, innovators, and professionals that raise the bar for safety, sustainability, and operational excellence. Winners are selected by industry peers, making an ITS Award a meaningful achievement and testament to operational excellence.

The winner of the award will be unveiled during the highly anticipated ITS Awards Gala Dinner on May 23, the grand finale of the ITS 2024 conference.

SUBMIT YOUR VOTE HERE! Voting closes 16 May 2024.

On 28 February, KOTUG Canada proudly joined hands with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) and Sc’ianew First Nations to celebrate the arrival of the K.J. Gardner, the largest spill response vessel in Canada, to its permanent home at the new base in Beecher Bay, Vancouver Island.

This significant milestone signifies the realisation of a collaboration initiated in November 2021, wherein WCMRC and KOTUG Canada partnered to provide and manage a dedicated OSV, equipped for continuous 24/7 oil spill response services. Designed to protect the Salish Sea including Haro Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait, this OSV stands as a substantial enhancement of Canada’s West Coast oil spill response capacity.

At 245 feet with 1,000 tonnes of oil storage capacity, the K.J. Gardner emerges as the flagship of the WCMRC fleet. Its arrival empowers WCMRC to launch a large-scale response within six hours anywhere along the shipping lanes, bolstering environmental protection efforts significantly.

KOTUG Canada is honoured to undertake the operation of this vessel, working hand in hand with the Sc’ianew First Nation, fostering a synergy that underlines our commitment to responsible marine practices and Indigenous partnerships.

View the CTV News item on the arrival here.

We would like to inform you that effective from the 25th of March 2024, the headquarters location
for all entities under the KOTUG group of companies, including Kotug International B.V., will be
moved to:

Waalhaven O.z. 77
3087 BM Rotterdam
The Netherlands

and note that:

• This is a change of address only and does not impact our commercial registry number, legal
  form or the financial standing of the companies;
• There will be no change of ownership of company shares nor of our vessels;
• Existing contractual terms and conditions remain unchanged (and for the avoidance of
  doubt, we will not be issuing replacement contracts with the new address).

We kindly request you to update your records accordingly in your administration. If you have any
queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.