Groups contracts set to increase marine protection in S Africa

African Marine Solutions Group (Amsol) states that two milestone contract awards have further supported the company growth strategy since its acquisition of maritime services provider SMIT Amandla Marine in December.

Firstly, Amsol has been awarded a five-year contract by the Department of Transport (DoT) to operate the standby tug boat used as part of State-driven proactive marine pollution prevention measures.

Amsol MD Paul Maclons says the award is a testament to the experience and professionalism of seafarers and shore-based support personnel involved in the contract, who are now focused on continuing to deliver safe and sustainable solutions to international standards, ensuring that the DoT’s objectives are met.

“We will provide experienced masters, officers and crew, as well as a purpose-designed high-speed tug and the support services required to safeguard South Africa’s marine environment and ensure proactive protection from the impact of pollutions, caused by incidents at sea, with the DoT and the South African Maritime Safety Authority.”

The standby tug is available 24/7 on the South African coast to respond to marine emergencies and has the ability and inherent power to deal with the biggest seagoing vessel issues.

“The tug was purposely designed to operate on the South African coast and its conditions, including characteristic weather and challenging tides, which prove challenging to passing shipping traffic,” notes Maclons.

The tug is an important platform for training and development of South African seafarers and will continue to provide the vital link to seagoing experience for mariners entering the profession.

Secondly, Amsol has also been appointed by gas company Sunrise Energy Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Import Terminal as the preferred marine contractor to fulfil their marine operations and multibuoy mooring and subsea maintenance requirements in Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape.

As the owners of the new LPG import facility, Sunrise Energy’s shareholders include mining and energy services provider Mining, Oil & Gas Services, financial institution Industrial Development Corporation and project management company Ilitha.

In expanding Amsol’s subsea solution offering into the region and driving sustainable growth, the opportunity to partner with Sunrise Energy and ensure efficiency in their supply chain builds on Amsol’s solid track record in offshore terminal management and the provision of underwater solutions.

Maclons says the team is now focused on delivering safe and sustainable solutions to international standards into the project in Saldanha Bay, ensuring that project objectives are met.

These objectives include providing specialised marine resources and diving specialists to assist Sunrise Energy with the safe and timeous turnaround of LPG tankers discharging at the multibuoy mooring.

“Our solution is focused on ensuring environmental protection and we are an International Marine Contractors Association member, as well as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified,” he points out.

Amsol is a majority black-owned company serving clients in the energy, ports, mining and maritime sectors in the region. Employees and management own more than 30% of the business, and together drive professional service delivery to international standards.