Lyboussakis Salvage & Towage has dedicated the last 38 years to carving out its place within the Greek shipping market. Now a part of the largest consortium in the Mediterranean Sea, the company is reaping the rewards. Strategy Director Giannis Lyboussakis revealed the latest developments, during an in-depth interview with Inside Marine. Report by Imogen Ward.
With the backing of its consortium MEDTUGS, Lyboussakis Salvage & Towage has witnessed impressive growth over the last few years.
“Since joining the consortium six years ago, we have grown at a steady pace, undertaking a major renewal of our fleet; growing our service areas and client portfolio; and completing several critical salvage operations,” explained Strategy Director Giannis Lyboussakis. “We now have a fleet of seven fully-owned and four partially owned vessels – two of which are new buildings, with an average fleet age of 25 (ranging from just one year to 45 years in age) and an average bollard pull of 55 tonnes (35t to 75t).”
Keen to expand its capabilities, Lyboussakis has added three new tugboats to its fleet.
The latest of which is a 25-metre Robert Allan design that has a minimum bollard pull of 75 tonnes, an Azimuthing Stern Drive and firefighting capabilities. The vessel’s sister ship is also currently being constructed in collaboration with our partners Vernicos
Scafi & Spanopoulos Group, with delivery expected in March 2025.
The new tugboat, which is also a MED-A2575, will have similar particulars to its sister vessel, as well as a capacity for an eight-person crew and a top speed of 12 knots.
The addition of this new vessel takes MEDTUGS total fleet figure to 29 and will be crucial to the company’s current operations.
Behind the daily grind
Thanks to almost four decades within the Greek shipping sector, Lyboussakis has built up a strong physical presence in the region.
“We operate at various ports throughout Greece, including Piraeus Port, which is the largest in Greece and currently sits amongst the top five ports in Europe,” said Mr Lyboussakis. “It welcomes more than 5.5 million containers each year and experiences new growth on an annual basis. Katakolon Cruise Port is another area we frequent, having established it as a salvage station three years
ago. We currently have several tugs positioned there.”
The salvage station enables Lyboussakis to respond quickly to nearby emergencies. So far, the vessel operator has completed five salvage operations – two of which were major – including the Euroferry Olympia fire in 2022.
“The passenger ferry was on route from Greece to Italy when a fire broke out onboard,” commented Mr Lyboussakis. “We sent a tugboat to rescue passengers and help contain the fire. Due to the closed deign
on the ship, we were limited to what we could do, so we guided the vessel to a nearby area, where it was allowed to burn out safely. It took around ten days for the fire to stop completely.”
When it comes to firefighting operations, the results can vary greatly depending on the factors involved. In another instance, Lyboussakis responded to a fire on the livestock carrier Boi Branco and was able to quickly extinguish the flames. Due to the fire’s close proximity to port; the fact that Lyboussakis already had three tugs
stationed nearby; and the open design of the vessel, the operator was able to diminish the fire within just two hours.
Supporting subsea exploration
With each project it takes on, Lyboussakis makes sure to provide consistent, safe and efficient operations, plus added attention to detail.
Whether completing tasks in towage, support, salvage or environmental protection, the company is an experienced contractor that always delivers. Most recently, the company’s boats were involved in several important research projects.
“We mobilised four different tugboats across two different research projects,” explained Mr Lyboussakis. “The first project took place in the Ionian Sea and the other one, just south of Crete, in search of hydrocarbons. Our tugs were involved with the projects for about three months and were essential in aiding the successful discovery of methanol.”
For every new project, the company relies on an exceptional marine crew, which Mr Lyboussakis believes helps set it apart from the competition.
“We have an amazing crew filled with highly experienced captains, engineers and a vastly competitive commercial team,” said Mr Lyboussakis. “We are doing great in that aspect, and it’s certainly no coincidence that we have retained many of our clients since day one. This includes CMA-CGM, Attica Group, Qatar Gas, Neptune Lines, Grimaldi Lines and Arkas Line. Most of all, our clients are satisfied with our services and how we manage crises, if the worst were to happen. That is why they renew contracts with us, again and again.”
The power of teamwork
Mr Lyboussakis also praised the consortium, which the company has been a prominent member of since 2018. MEDTUGS had been in operation ever since, with four partners at the helm. That was up until 2021, when
an agreement was made to allow three of the companies – Lyboussakis, Vernicos Scafi and Spanopoulos Group – to purchase the shares, fleet, employees and clients of the fourth partner, Stavros Karapiperis Salvage. The deal was completed successfully in Q1 of 2022.
The continuation of MEDTUGS is expected to greatly benefit Lyboussakis’ growth, as the company prepares to set its sights outside of Greece.
“It is in our overarching plans to expand out into the wider European waters,” explained Mr Lyboussakis. “We also have the Persian Gulf in our scope, and we will be keeping a close eye on operations in the region over the coming months.
“We understand that there is a high global demand for tugboats, which is matched by an extreme shortage of vessels in many regions across Europe. We want to help ease that pressure; however, we also understand it is an issue that is going to need time and patience to overcome.”
Mr Lyboussakis is confident that the company’s growth goals will come to fruition within the next two years, with the help of every one of Lyboussakis’ hard working and passionate employees. It is that same passion, which Mr Lyboussakis himself deems crucial to the job.
“I grew up inside tugboats, so they really excite me,” said Mr Lyboussakis, in conclusion. “I am passionate about every element, from the engines to the different varieties of tugboat, and my job would not be the same without that enthusiasm.
“There is also a great joy involved with working in this profession, and it grows with every successful project. I am extremely proud of everything we have achieved so far, and I know that our team will continue to do a great job of spreading their passion industry-wide.”
