Naming ceremony on 27th September 2016 for Svitzer Kent, a new Damen 3212 ASD 80 tonne bollard pull tug, operating in the Port of London
The naming ceremony started with a champagne reception on board Thames river cruiser Silver Sturgeon with attendance of the new CEO of Svitzer Henriette Thygesen and senior management from Svitzer Europe including Managing Director Marc Niederer, Managing Director for Svitzer in UK North & South East Phil Dulson, and Chief Operational Officer Europe Deniz Kirdar True.
From left to right: Mr. Michael Rye, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics; Mrs. Melissa Rye, Godmother; Mr. Chiel de Leeuw, Damen; Mrs. Henriette Thygesen, Svitzer, Chaplain John Attenborough; Mr. Marc Niederer, Svitzer; Mr. Phil Dulson, Svitzer; and Mr. Arnout Damen, Damen.
Steeped in maritime history, Greenwich formed the backdrop for the naming as Svitzer Kent lay close to the meridian line for her special day. In witness of the invited guests formed of customers, local stakeholders and the Svitzer London office and crews, the Godmother Mrs. Melissa Rye followed tradition and blessed the vessel before breaking the bottle and formally naming her Svitzer Kent.
Svitzer Kent was built by Damen at their Song Cam Shipyard Vietnam. She is a 3212 design powered by 2 Caterpillar main engines combining to give a very powerful 5050kw and a bollard pull over 80 tonne. Fitted with full fifi 1 firefighting equipment and a modern render/recover towing winch makes her a perfect match for the demands of today’s harbour towage environment.
Svitzer Kent will join her sister Svitzer London in assisting the ultra large container vessels into London Gateway as well as berthing the large LNG carriers calling into the Isle of Grain LNG facility on the river Medway.
Source: Svitzer