SMS latest acquisition ROMAN passing Paull and KG dock for Albert dock 25/10/2020.

ROMAN Ex Alfredo Neri at Port Clarence inset dock on the Tees 06.11.20 and as the ALFREDO NERI at Livorno 02.10.15

Looks like SMS might be starting up on the Tees - ROMAN was joined by NOBLEMAN and YORKSHIREMAN yesterday - the latter is on her way back to the Humber but ROMAN and NOBLEMAN currently working a bulker at Redcar Wharf as I type.

Seems to be no limit to their ambitions ... and the old United names spread far and wide, can't be bad!

That's a bit of a poke in the eye for Svitzer. Assume they were berthing the YEOMAN BRIDGE.

Svitzer have PHOENIX CROSS, SVITZER REDBRIDGE, SVITZER BRISTOL, FIERY CROSS and ORMESBY CROSS on the River and all appear to have been working. FIERY may indeed have helped out with the YEOMAN BRIDGE.

PHOENIX CROSS, SVITZER REDBRIDGE and FIERY CROSS have just left the birth heading for the car carrier MORNING PROSPERITY.

So possibly sufficient work for all..................

Never enough for all ... 'the winner takes it all' as Abba sang.

From SMS Facebook account -

SMS Towage are pleased to confirm our expansion into the Teesport and Hartlepool region of the UK. Please do get in touch with any port or coastal towage enquiries you have in the region.

I wonder if the present Yorkshireman will be giving jollies out of the Tees next year, can't see them getting 400 aboard like the 1920's built one used to do out of Brid. It's the sometimes difficult to tell which direction some of the modern Tug designs are going.

SMS have also announced towage services for the Tyne and Southampton - all Svitzer locations...

Makes you think if a 'third party' has encouraged SMS to make this move to break the Svitzer hold on the Ports mentioned.