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EMAR Offshore Services at Work in Guinea

Kamsar, Guinea is one of the busiest export hubs for bauxite, the world’s primary source of aluminum. Every day, massive quantities of this raw material are loaded and shipped to supply industries worldwide. 

Two of our vessels – the E-FOUR and the JARO 2 – are currently stationed here, working around the clock to keep the operation running smoothly. Their responsibilities cover everything from static towing and supply runs to personnel transfers, ensuring that transshipment vessels (TSVs) can operate at full capacity.

What is STS and Why It Matters in Kamsar

Ship-to-ship (STS) operations are the transfer of cargo between two vessels moored alongside each other at sea, rather than through a port terminal. In Kamsar, the process is essential because the port itself cannot accommodate the large ocean-going bulk carriers that transport bauxite across continents.

Here’s how it works:

  1. A transshipment shuttle vessel (TSV) loads bauxite at the Port of Kamsar.

  2. The TSV then shuttles this cargo offshore to a waiting ocean-going vessel (OGV).

  3. Equipped with a gravity-fed self-unloading system, a dual discharge boom, and a fender retrieval system, the TSV discharges the bauxite directly into the OGV’s holds.

This system allows Guinean bauxite to be exported efficiently, without requiring expensive port expansions.

The Role of Static Towing

Our tugs – the E-FOUR and JARO 2 – are vital to these STS transfers. A major task they perform is static towing, which means keeping the larger vessels securely in position during cargo transfer. Unlike active towing, where a tug pulls a vessel from one place to another, static towing is about applying constant bollard pull to counter drift, wind, or currents.

Without static towing, vessels could move during the delicate process of transferring bulk cargo at sea – a serious safety risk. By holding vessels steady, our tugs ensure that operations are conducted safely and efficiently, no matter the conditions.

Our Vessels in Action

e-four

E-FOUR

  • Port of Registry: Nassau

  • Flag: Bahamas

  • Vessel Type: ASD Tug

  • Year Built: 2012

  • Class: Lloyd’s Register

  • Bollard Pull: 62.3 Tbp

  • Owner: EMAR Offshore Services B.V.

The E-FOUR is a modern ASD tug designed for power and maneuverability. With a bollard pull of 62.3 tons, it is perfectly suited for holding large vessels steady during STS operations, as well as performing supply runs and personnel transfers offshore.

JARO 2

Jaro 2

  • Port of Registry: Nassau, Bahamas

  • Flag: Bahamas

  • Vessel Type: Twin Screw Tug

  • Year Built: 1990

  • Class: Lloyd’s Register – Unrestricted

  • Bollard Pull: 63 Tbp

  • Owner: EMAR Offshore Services B.V.

The JARO 2 may be older, but with its reliable 63-ton bollard pull, it remains a strong and capable tug. It plays a critical role in providing additional static towing capacity and logistical support to the Kamsar project.

More Than Just Towing

While static towing is at the core of our operations, our teams also handle supply deliveries and personnel transfers between vessels. Offshore operations like these depend on constant support – from spare parts and provisions to safely moving crew between ships. Both E-FOUR and JARO 2 deliver this support, ensuring nothing interrupts the flow of bauxite exports.