KOTUG SEABULK MARITIME SERVICES (KSM) EXPANDS FLEET IN FREEPORT
KSM recently welcomed the “Capt. Leroy” and the “KSM Speedy”, a 48’ (14,6 m) line handler and a 50’ (15,2 m) catamaran respectively as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing investments on Grand Bahama island. These two vessels join the existing KSM fleet of four tugboats and a bunker barge.
The purchase enables KSM to broaden its’ towage services with two other maritime services: Line Handling and Passenger Transport services to Buckeye Bahamas Hub Terminal, the largest petroleum products terminal in the Western Hemisphere.
Ard-Jan Kooren (Director of KSM): “This acquisition further validates KSM’s commitment to BBH to constantly monitor how we can increase the efficiency and safety of our operations and improve the turnaround times of vessels in ports and at the BBH terminal offshore. We are proud that again we have proven to do so above the expectations of BBH.”
The Capt. Leroy is named in honor of Captain Leroy, a KSM captain who was lost in a bad storm while on his pleasure boat, a hobby he enjoyed doing when not working as a tug Captain. The line handler operates as a multiple-purpose vessel conducting line handling operations, cargo lifts and passenger transfers.
The KSM Speedy was built in 2008 and operates as a pilot boat and passenger launch.
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KSM Tugs assist Carnival Vista and Boka Vanguard in historic escort and float-off operations in Freeport Bahamas
On Saturday, July 13 the cruise vessel Carnival Vista was floated onto the heavy-lift submersible vessel Boka Vanguard to be transported to the Grand Bahama Shipyard for repairs. It was the first time this type of operation had been undertaken anywhere in the world. KOTUG Seabulk Maritime’s (KSM) SD Calypso served as one of the five assist tugs required for the float-on operation.
Three KSM tugs also assisted with the float-off on July 20, the SD Calypso, SD Junkanoo and the RT Blackbeard.
Kudos to the entire team for making this a successful operation!
KSM Showcased at the Freeport Technical & Industrial Forum & Exhibition
On Friday, April 5th 2019, KSM participated in a Technical & Industrial Forum & Exhibition in Freeport Grand Bahama, hosted by the Department of Labor. Special guests included the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Deputy Prime Minister, and other Members of Parliament.
The Forum served to stimulate the interests of young Bahamians by drawing attention to the various opportunities and careers available to them in the Technical and Industrial fields in Grand Bahama. The event was a very proud moment for KSM, especially for three of our Deckhands who engaged in an interactive session with the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Needless to say our display was quite the fan favorite!
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The Women of KSM celebrate International Women’s Day 2019
On Friday, March 9 2019, the women of KOTUG Seabulk Maritime joined the women of Buckeye Bahamas Hub in celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme #BalanceForBetter. At KOTUG Seabulk Maritime we encourage and celebrate diversity and inclusivity and are very proud of all the women we have on board our vessels and in our offices.
International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.
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Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.
Freeport Department of Labor Officials Visit KSM Operations
Left to right:Bill Cuervo, Janet Russell,Chris Bhalai, Corneliour Moultrie
On Tuesday, Feb 5 2019, the KOTUG Seabulk Maritime Management Team hosted two Dept. of Labour Officials, Asst. Director Mrs. Janet Russell, and Asst. Labour Officer Mrs. Corneliour Moultrie.
The Labour representatives paid a courtesy visit to the company as part of their random company screenings program. They were given a guided tour of the shore-side office spaces and an onboard tour of the “RT Raptor”.
Kotug and Seabulk awarded contract at Bahamas
KOTUG International BV and Seabulk Towing, Inc. have been awarded a contract with Borco Towing Company Limited (a subsidiary of Buckeye Partners, L.P.) to carry out all towage operations at their Buckeye Bahamas Hub in the Bahamas.
The contract will be performed through a newly formed joint venture between KOTUG and Seabulk: Kotug Seabulk Maritime LLC.
The Buckeye Bahamas Hub currently has over 26 million barrels of storage capacity and eight berths, including two VLCC-capable berths, making it the largest petroleum products terminal in the Western Hemisphere.
Kotug Seabulk Maritime LLC is deploying four state-of-the-art tugboats, a line handler, a crew tender launch, and a bunker barge to execute all Terminal Towage Operations, including Bunker Barge Assistance. The tug fleet, having commenced services as per 1st April, consists of two Rotortugs®, the RT Blackbeard and RT Raptor and two Stern Drives, SD Calypso and SD Junkanoo.
The new joint venture KSM aims to leverage the impressive reputation, experience, technology, and practical know-how of Kotug International and Seabulk Towing.
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Buckeye Bahamas Hub and KSM jointly Christen four tugboats
On 1st May 2017, the inaugural celebration of KSM’s operations took place at Freeport, Bahamas. The four tugs, two Rotortugs and two Stern Drives, were christened by Buckeye Bahamas Hub in conjunction with Kotug Seabulk Maritime.
Mr. Ard-Jan Kooren, President, CEO and Owner of Kotug International and Director of Kotug Seabulk Maritime, said: “Kotug Seabulk Maritime may seem like a new kid on the block, but both Kotug International and Seabulk Towing are two highly experienced and international companies that bring together over 170 years of valuable global experiences covering terminal operations, offshore and salvage support activities and harbour towage operations.
We operate one of the youngest, most powerful and manoeuvrable tugs in the world and we outclass all our competitors with the Rotortug concept. These tugs are an award winning design which we operate in several parts of the world.”
He further stated that KSM is committed to safety and protecting the unique and beautiful environment of the Bahamas. “From the outset, Buckeye, Kotug Seabulk Maritime, The Grand Bahamas Port Authority and the Pilots as partners have committed to the “Safety is our first Priority” Policy. This collaborative commitment is a symbol of the strong partnership we currently enjoy with all involved and we look forward to evolving for many years to come.”
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