WILLEMSTAD - Tug service company KTK (Kompania di Tou Kòrsou) and sister company KTB (Kompania di Tou Bonaire) have won the public tender to provide support to the BES islands in the event of a maritime incident or form part of the Response Service Maritime Incidents Caribbean Netherlands 'Little Spills'-BES Islands. The contract signed with Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) on 10 February 2023 has a duration of 5 years. RWS has made budget available for the operational costs of the boats that must be ready and for training the personnel. This is an important step for KTK in the diversification and internationalization of its activities.
KTB participated in the tender with the support of KTK. As part of the tender process, KTK was required to demonstrate sufficient equipment and experience to provide support at sea and combat oil spills or other harmful products that could affect the environment. In addition, KTK had to prove that the current laws and regulations in the field of the environment, safety and quality were considered. All this fits in expertise of KTK, which, as a company affiliated with Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA), has been internationally certified by Lloyds for several years regarding quality retention for environmental requirements.
KTB was founded in 2018 by KTK with the aim of providing maritime services on Bonaire. On October 24, 2022, KTB signed a concession with the Public Entity Bonaire (OLB) to provide its tugboat services in Kralendijk for a period of 5 years. At the beginning of this year, KTB was awarded the contract for support with Maritime Incident 'Oil Leak in Sea Tier 1' for the BES islands.
KTB is preparing to permanently place a boat on both Bonaire and St. Eustatius, as well as to set up an organization to meet all the requirements and conditions of the islands.
“We are looking forward to this new partnership with our sister islands and would like to share our experience with the local stakeholders of the islands to promote Maritime growth,” said Managing Director of KTB and KTK, Mr. Surldric Rojer.