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VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services becomes member of European Tugowners Association

July 26th, 2017

VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services becomes member of European Tugowners Association

Membership an opportunity for the company to build capacity as a marine service provider and port operator

VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services (VTS), a leading marine services provider at Cyprus’ ports and terminals, and member of the Limassol-based RPT Group, has achieved yet another milestone following its acceptance as a member of the prestigious European Tugowners Association.

Established in London in 1963, the European Tugowners Association (ETA) -one of Europe’s oldest maritime organisations- is widely recognised as the sole representative European association of tugowners and operators, and represents an integral part of safe and efficient operation of European shipping and port services. Through its extensive involvement in the drafting and follow-up of major international agreements and regulatory initiatives, the ETA evolved into a proactive lobby group, relocating its Secretariat to Brussels in 2002 in recognition of the EU’s growing potential influence through legislative initiatives affecting ports and port services.

As the first Cypriot company to become a member of the ETA, and its Executive Committee, VTS joins an elite club of tugowners and operators with the opportunity to further build its capacity as a marine service provider, and enhance its profile as a port operator. At present, VTS is the exclusive marine service provider at the jetty of VTT Vasiliko Ltd (VTTV) oil storage terminal, and the private port of Vasilikos, performing over 1000 marine movements on an annual basis. The company provides the full range of marine services, including Harbour Towage, Mooring/Unmooring, and Launch Boat services, and is also involved in Coastal & Offshore Towage operations and Ship-to-Ship cargo transfer operations.

The company’s fleet comprises two brand new ASD, 80-tonne bollard-pull tugboats, VTS KERYNEIA and VTS AMMOCHOSTOS, unique both to Cyprus and the region, as well as a recent addition in LEON Z on a short-term lease from the leading Greek tugowner Zouros Group. Moreover, VTS can also mobilise AKTEA 19 and AELLA -Weir Skimmer and Pollution Control vessels respectively- through another member of the RPT Group, VSS EPE, the only provider of marine environment protection and spill response services in Cyprus.

“Achieving full membership of the European Tugowners Association shows how far we have come in such a short period of time, and represents another step towards our vision of becoming one of the leading marine service providers in the Eastern Mediterranean”, said Yiannos Lakkotrypis, CEO of VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services. “We take our role very seriously, and we are delighted that -following what was an intensive due diligence process by the Association- we are now part of a distinguished group of European operators. We believe that our membership, allied with our drive to achieve the relevant quality certifications, provides further assurances to both current and future principals that we are ready to provide meet the highest standards as marine service providers and port operators”, added Lakkotrypis.

For more information on the scope of services provided by VTS Vasiliko Terminal Services (VTS), please visit the company’s website: http://vtsvasilikoterminal.com/.