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Refinery Tugs wins long-term tanker terminals support contract
A consortium of Greek and Italian tug owners has gained a long-term contract to provide towage and terminal support services with a refinery group in the eastern Mediterranean
Helleniq Energy has secured a tugboat fleet to support crude carriers and product tankers at its three refineries in Greece.
A consortium of Greek and Italian tug owners has secured a long-term contract, valued at around €50M (US$59M) per year to provide towage and terminal support services to its subsidiary, Helleniq Petroleum’s refineries in Aspropyrgos, Elefsina and Thessaloniki, which produce oil products for Greece and neighbouring countries.
The tug owners have formed the Refinery Tugs consortium to provide 28 to 30 tugboats to handle tankers ranging from very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to product carriers at these terminals. It was formed by Spanopoulos Group, Vernicos Scafi and Nemeca Towage & Salvage, which is a joint venture between Cafimar, Fratelli Neri and Mediterranean Shipping Co.
The contract with Helleniq covers terminal services for between 7-10 years with 28-30 tugs, each with either FiFi-E or FiFi1 fire-fighting systems and bollard pull ranging from 45 -90 tonnes, said a source from one of the consortium companies who wished to remain anonymous.
Up to seven of these tugs are used to escort, handle, manoeuvre, berth and undock VLCCs unloading crude to the terminals, and also to provide stand-by services. Fewer are required to support product tankers.
All the companies involved in this long-term contract have either taken delivery of new tugboats or have vessels on order with shipyards, ready for this major contract.
Spanopoulos operates a fleet of 75 tugboats to offer harbour and ocean towage, offshore support services, salvage and emergency response, pollution control and diving operations.
Vernicos Scafi has taken delivery of SVS-series azimuth stern drive tugs after their construction by Med Marine in Turkey and has two more on order for delivery in Q3 2026.
Its subsidiary, Med Tugs Towing & Salvage, manages more than 20 harbour tugs operating in Greece.
Nemeca, which manages 12 tugboats and three launches, welcomed escort tug Gaia in July after it was built by Sanmar Shipyards.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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