The firm developed an international presence, such as its Singapore-based subsidiary in 1975, and its acquisition of Costain Group's Land & Marine business in 1996.

Smit International has undertaken the salvage of various vessels, including Costa Concordia, Full City, FSO Safer, MOL Comfort and Kursk.

The company dates back to the early 1840s and the undertakings of Fop Smit, who operated the paddle steamer Kinderdijk to safely guided various other vessels into the Port of Rotterdam.

[3] Throughout the twentieth century, Smit International developed into internationally-operating outfit offering a wide range of maritime services.

By 2000, the firm's Singapore operation employed in excess of 700 and was roughly valued at $200 million, providing salvage, ocean, port and coastal towage, pipeline installation, horizontal directional drilling and offshore support.

[24] One year later, the company, along with Donjon Marine Co., was awarded a contract to provide salvage services for the United States Navy across the majority of the western hemisphere.

[26] Its marine salvage division was involved in several high-profile salvage operations, including:[27] They have also partnered with the French firm JLMD System to support preinstalled fast oil recovery systems, which assure quick reliable oil removal in the event of a shipping accident.