10.03.2015
Port of London to unveil its £7m vessel, London Titan, at Seawork International
(Mercator news release)
PLA's new £7m vessel, London Titan, in build at Manor Marine ©Mercator Media
Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, Seawork International, has today announced that the Port of London Authority’s (PLA) new 36-metre mooring maintenance vessel, London Titan, built at a cost of £7million, will be officially unveiled at the opening day of the event in June.
Following its launch last month, fitting out and sea trials, London Titan is likely to be seen by upwards of 7,500 visitors at Seawork, which is held 16-18 June in Southampton.
Built at Manor Marine, Portland Port, Dorset, London Titan is the PLA’s largest single investment in 20 years.
As the UK’s second biggest port and busiest inland waterway, with a 95-mile jurisdiction, London Titan will play an important role in the PLA’s work, keeping the Thames in full operation for craft ranging from rowing boats, through to ultra-large container ships like Munkebo Maersk and military vessels such as HMS Illustrious.
PLA’s marine operations director, Peter Steen said: “Seawork is the venue of choice for all who work in the commercial marine sector, so it’s the ideal place to unveil Titan. She is a uniquely capable design, so Seawork is the perfect platform with its reputation for new maritime innovations, showcasing vessels, on-board demonstrations, plus being a key industry meeting point.”
He continues, “Following her unveiling at Seawork, London Titan will start work on The Thames in the summer. The Thames is busy and getting busier, with the largest container ships now calling on the river, passenger trips reaching almost 10 million annually and inland waterways freight now at a steady five million tonnes a year. Titan’s additional capabilities are going to be essential. Her duties will include navigational and mooring buoy maintenance, salvage, diving support and, a new capability for us, plough dredging.”
About London Titan
Operated by the PLA on the Thames, the Manor Marine-built London Titan will be able to work along virtually the entire length of the PLA’s jurisdiction, being low air draft and shallow enough to negotiate bridges as far upriver as Richmond, and having the versatility combined with robust features to operate with five crew in the outer estuary. The vessel replaces the 1960s built Hookness and Crossness.
About Seawork International
Seawork International is the largest and fastest growing international commercial marine and workboat exhibition and conference held in a European working port environment. It takes place over three days, every year, at the Port of Southampton, UK. Attracting more than 7,350 high calibre visitors from over 53 countries across the globe, Seawork is where buyers, sellers, innovators and legislators come together for three invaluable days at one incomparable location. Visit www.seawork.com to find out more.
About the Organisers of Seawork International
Established in 1989 British based Mercator Media Ltd is a privately-owned events, magazines and online publishing business, primarily specialising in the commercial marine sector. Mercator Media is a niche publishing company that knows how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets, specifically within the maritime sector. The company maintains valued B2B marketplaces centred on the world’s marine infrastructure. It is a global leader in the creation of integrated marketing strategies for clients within its specialist sectors, using a range of channels including print, online, events and research. Mercator’s magazines, events and online resources are produced by industry experts dedicated to providing the critical insight, analysis and relevant connections needed by business professionals who are advancing their specific fields.
Mercator Media owns numerous niche sector titles include Maritime Journal, The Motorship, Port Strategy and World Fishing & Aquaculture magazines, and organises exhibitions and conferences which includes the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition and Offshore Mariculture Conference, amongst others. Further information about the event or any other Mercator Media event can be found at www.mercatormedia.com
