PAPUA New Guinean marine services business, Pacific Towing (‘PacTow’) has appointed a new manager to its Solomon Islands operation.
The new manager is Derek Saru, who has vast experience in marine onshore and offshore engineering, as well as maritime safety environment management.
Saru took up the position in late August.
Manager of PacTow Gerard Kasnari described Saru as “the perfect candidate to lead the company’s Solomon Islands operation in that he has the right combination of technical expertise, management savvy, and a comprehensive understanding of the country’s maritime industry.”
Saru’s expertise includes marine vessel inspections, marine superintendence, drydocking (planning & preparation), pre-purchase ship inspection, marine cargo survey and inspection, marine casualty investigations and reporting, business consultancy services for ship acquisition and delivering, as well as promoting maritime auditing and safety compliance.
Prior to joining PacTow, Saru was engaged as a private marine engineer superintendent for shipping companies and agencies in Solomon Islands where he served as a vessel drydocking supervisor, industry consultant and an independent marine surveyor.
Saru has worked on projects in nearly 20 different countries throughout the South Pacific and Asia as well as Australia and New Zealand.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Maritime Technology Management) from the University of Tasmania, as well as a Diploma in Marine Engineering from the Fiji Institute of Technology’s School of Maritime Studies.
In addition to overseeing PacTow’s marine operations in Solomon Islands, Saru is also tasked with growing the company’s business, establishing new office premises and reinvigorating its cadetship program.
Pacific Towing Solomon Islands was incorporated in 2012. The company’s 100 percent Solomon Islander team has been safely assisting the berthing and unberthing of vessels ever since. PacTow has one of its tugs, ‘Kavachi’ a Solomon Islands flagged vessel, permanently deployed in Honiara.
As well as its Solomon Islands operation, PacTow also operates out of five ports in PNG and the company also has a business in Fiji. With 250+ staff and a fleet of 20 vessels, PacTow is Melanesia’s largest and most successful marine services business. Its core services include towage (harbour, coastal, ocean), mooring, salvage, commercial diving and life rafts.
