VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has been declared the winning bidder in a tender covering three offshore high-speed ambulance boats that will support emergency services in the Aegean Sea.
The international tender was concluded after a cooperation between the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Greek Emergency Response Organization (EKAB) in an initiative supported and financed by the European Union under the INTERREG V-A Cooperation Programme 2014-2020.
It is understood that all three ambulance boats are scheduled for delivery during the summer of 2020, to take up station operating from remote Greek islands in the Aegean.
The vessels will be fabricated using the successful VIKING Norsafe Munin S1200 design and will be equipped with twin-diesel stern-drive engines to achieve speeds of up to 40 knots, as well as cutting-edge navigation instruments.
Construction of the boats will take place at the VIKING Norsafe facility in Thiva, Greece. Following their delivery, VIKING will be responsible for technical support and maintenance.
These boats will be equipped with twin stretchers, resuscitation devices and the necessary medical equipment to help perform rescue operations, medical evacuations and other humanitarian missions under harsh weather in cases of emergency.
It is reported that this is the first time that the Hellenic Coast Guard has incorporated ambulance boats in its fleet and, if the project fulfills expectations, more orders could be likely.
In the words of John Georgiadis, Managing Director for VIKING Norsafe’s production facility in Greece: ‘I would like to congratulate our team for their dedication and hard work in putting together this successful tender. We were up against some very tough competitors, but our team met the very stringent conditions to the satisfaction of the Hellenic Coast Guard.”
Endre Eidsvik, VP, Sales & Service, VIKING Norsafe Boats & Davits, added: ‘This is a great tender to win, and an important milestone that will further strengthen our position in this market segment. Being based on the very successful VIKING Norsafe Munin S1200 design, these boats will be highly manoeuvreable even in rough sea conditions with low freeboards to help with rescue operations.’
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Investments to improve efficiency and expand port capacity
Modernisation will help shift cargo from roads to shipping and railway
Turkey’s maritime industry is receiving a boost thanks to a new loan from the London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) of US$ 17.5 million to the operator of Tekirdag port on the Sea of Marmara. ICBC Turkey is providing an equal loan.
Ceyport Tekirdag Uluslararasi Liman Isletmeciligi is operating the port under a 36-year concession granted by the Turkish privatisation authority last year (2018).
It is understood that the EBRD loan will partially finance the acquisition of operating rights, the modernisation of the port and the expansion of its capacity, to which the company has committed under the concession agreement.
Tekirdag port handles general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, containers and ro-ro vessels and serves industrial and agricultural production and trade in the region.
It is the only port in the western Marmara Sea that provides both ro-ro and rail-ferry services to the eastern Marmara region. Enhanced port infrastructure will play a key role in directing a larger share of cargo from roads towards railway and shipping lines, which are more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The port operator is a subsidiary of Cey Group, one of the largest logistics groups in Turkey, which also includes Ceynak Lojistik and the operators of Samsun port and Mesbas port located in the Mersin Free Zone.
Member States of the IMO have urged further firm action in coming years to advance gender equality throughout the maritime sector and reach a barrier-free environment, following a year of action to “empower women in the maritime community” – the World Maritime theme for 2019.
IMO Assembly adoption of resolution
The IMO Assembly, meeting for its 31st session from 25 November to 4 December adopted a resolution on Preserving the Legacy of the World Maritime Theme for 2019 and achieving a Barrier-Free Working Environment for Women in the Maritime Sector.
This resolution urges governments, maritime administrations and the industry to endeavour to reach a barrier-free environment for women, so that all women can participate fully, safely and without hindrance in the activities of the maritime community, including seafaring and shipbuilding activities.
Furthermore, the resolution notes testimony from women from across the various maritime industries which demonstrates that barriers and obstacles still exist at every level. Work towards gender equality, including the fostering of a safe environment for women in the maritime sector, remains incomplete and should continue to be pursued.
Governments, maritime administrations and the industry should consider ways to continuously identify and overcome existing constraints in all aspects of the maritime sector, in particular, in terms of recruitment, promotion, training, capacity-building and technical cooperation.
