Svitzer, Cat Marine In Global Services Agreement

Svitzer and Caterpillar today signed a Global Services Agreement designed to increase vessel uptime, drive service efficiency and extend Svitzer’s overall service experience with Caterpillar. As one of the world’s largest tug operators, Svitzer provides towage and sustainable marine solutions to customers in 30-plus countries across four regions.

This lifecycle agreement will include coverage for more than 100 Svitzer tugs powered by Cat Marine engines. A focused Caterpillar team working with the global Caterpillar dealer network will execute the terms of the contract, the company said.

“Our relationship with Svitzer has been maintained for numerous decades, and the signing of this agreement is the next evolution in our cooperation,” said Michael Braun, Tug and Dredge segment manager for Caterpillar Marine. “It is our aim to deliver the highest service excellence with a consistent service experience to Svitzer across their global fleet. With our expertise in marine engines and digital capabilities, we will provide Svitzer with greater insight into their operations — insight they can use to optimize fuel use, predict service events, and improve overall vessel uptime.”

With towage operations serving 34 terminals and 120 ports in the Americas, Australia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Svitzer currently works with 27 Cat dealers globally to perform maintenance and repair services.

“At Svitzer, we are constantly seeking to improve our ability to deliver reliable and cost-efficient services to our customers,” said Ingrid Uppelschoten Snelderwaard, Svitzer’s newly appointed global COO. “In Caterpillar Marine, we are seeing a strategic partner, who is willing to challenge the status quo and explore new ways to support Svitzer’s global strategy to be the industry leader for global towage and marine related services.

“The lifecycle agreement supports our global technical and maintenance strategy, by offering a strong foundation for our preventive maintenance, planned maintenance and periodical overhaul activities for all Cat main engines onboard our vessels. As a global company it is important to us and to our customers that we can always expect the same consistent high level of maintenance service, no matter where in the world we operate, and we welcome this sort of collaboration.”