TSAVLIRIS Salvage Group of Greece has added another ocean salvage tug to its fleet, acquiring the former 'Abeille Normandie' for an undisclosed sum, writes Nigel Lowry in Athens. The 16,000 ihp vessel (ex ZOUROS HELLAS), said to be in South Africa, is likely to be kept on station in Cape Town, the group said. "Our business is expanding, partially because serious competition is actually on the decrease," added a company spokesman. "We are the only global salvage company maintaining a chain of permanent salvage stations world - wide without any financial assistance." © Terry Hutson © Tsavliris Support vessels that had traditionally tried "poaching" salvage contracts were all now concentrating on core oilfield business because of booming market conditions, Tsavliris contended. The salvage tug, being renamed Tsavliris Hellas, was built by the Belgian Beliard-Murdoch facility and is Rina certified as ice class 1C. It has a range of 15,000 miles at 10 knots and a top speed of 15 knots from two main engines generating a total 10,000 bhp. The tug is certified for 120 tonnes bollard pull, has two double drum tow winches and is equipped with two fire pumps, three monitors and anti-pollution equipment including a 400 cu m tank. Tsavliris told Lloyd's List it was interested in expanding its network with further tug acquisitions. Source: Tsavliris/Lloyd's List