Smit Lamnalco renewed its marine support services contract with oil major Shell in Gabon, a deal that has triggered investment in three auxiliary vessel newbuildings, according to the company.
The five year contract renewal extends a relationship which dates back to the 1990s and covers support for Shell Gabon’s tanker operations at the remote Gamba Terminal, south of Port Gentil.
“The trust Shell Gabon has in our services has sustained through the 2011 merger of Lamnalco and SMIT Terminals.” says Aart van der Wal, Managing Director Smit Lamnalco Africa.
The renewal covers the deployment, crewing and management of four Smit Lamnalco support vessels, with three newbuilds ordered in mid-November to replace existing tonnage. The orders cover one ‘Shoalbuster’ and one Beach Landing Craft from Damen Shipyards, plus one Fast Offshore Crew Boat from UK-based yard and well-known supplier in West Africa Alnmaritec.
An existing ‘Shoalrunner’ auxiliary vessel will remain in place. The Shoalbuster is designed to be a versatile, multi-purpose vessel for harbor, inland and coastal waters, characterized by high bollard pull and ample deck space. Meanwhile, the manueverability of the 17m, 25-knot plus, aluminium-hulled fast response vessel will be conferred by its double chine hull and Rolls-Royce Kamewa FF45 water jets.