PRESS RELEASE2nd January 2012

Tug “Brent” uses Portland Port as base for Salvage Services

At the end of November 2012, Portland Port were approached by Shipping agent ‘Clarksons’ with regards to an enquiry from the Tug ‘Brent’. The 83 ton bollard pull salvage tug, owned by the Iskes Towage & Salvage Company,was looking for a port on the South Coast of the UK to use as a base for salvage services in the English Channel for the winter period of 2012-2013.

In conjunction with Mammoet Salvage, the two companies decided they needed a base port so that the ‘Brent’ could react quickly to any vessels in distress out in the English Channel. With the strategic location, water depths, ease of access and distance from the channel shipping Lanes, Portland was the ideal port of choice.

The ‘Brent’ has been berthed alongside the port’s ‘Dock Jetty’ since the beginning of December 2012, where she will remain throughout the winter period. Ian McQuade, General Manager (Commercial) at Portland Port, said: “Portland Port are more than happy to accommodate the ‘Brent’; we are in an excellent position for salvage services in the English Channel and have proven our salvage capabilities in the past with the MSC Napoli.”

Portland Port was the base port for the salvage operations of the MSC Napoli when she ran aground off the Devon coast following a serious structural failure in January 2007. The majority of the 2,318 containers originally aboard the vessel were bought to Portland Port, unloaded onto dry land and stored around the port’s dock estate.

The “Brent” will be alongside at Portland initially until the Spring, however Portland Port hope that she will stay longer pending the success of her operations.

For more information about vessel services at Portland Port please contact the Commercial Department on +44 01305 824044 or e-mail

END

NOTES TO EDITORS

Previously a naval dockyard for over 150 years, Portland Harbour is now a thriving and successful commercial facility. It still maintains a close relationship with the past through its ongoing contract to support the RFA, as well as being home to the activities of Global Marine and Portland Bunkers International. It has over 4,000 acres of water at depths of up to 15m (C.D.); and provides vessel services from long term lay-ups to brief maintenance calls, luxury cruise liner docking facilities to industrial cargo shipments.

The tariff and general Portland Harbour Authority information can be viewed at

M/F

Portland Port has over 2,000 metres of alongside berths and 11.6 metres (C.D.) depth of water at the deepest alongside berth.

Berthing for vessels up to 300 metres (subject to Harbour Master's approval).

11 designated anchorages are within the 2,000-acre inner harbour. Six designated anchorages are within the 2,500 acre Outer Harbour.

A width of 210 metres and depth of over 12.6 metres (C.D.) at the entrance of the harbour mean that there are few vessel beam, lock, or air draft restriction.

ENDS