Posted on December 3, 2020
This month’s review of newbuild tug deliveries and orders focuses on two of the best known and most prolific builders of such vessels, Damen Shipyards Group and Sanmar Shipyards.
Thomas Services Maritimes’ fleet expansion activities have been featured recently in MJ and the Rouen-based maritime service provider’s diverse range of tugs and workboats has gown further with addition of another Damen vessel in the form of the ASD Tug 2810 TSM Houat.
The marque is described by Damen as its ‘most successful ASD tug’ with over 175 delivered since 2002 with the 60tbp TSM Houat delivered in just over six months despite Covid-19 restrictions preventing the vessel’s crew travelling to Albwardy Damen in Dubai where the tug was constructed.
Situated in southern Italy, Gioia Tauro is considered one of the most important transhipment ports in the Mediterranean and its shiphandling tug fleet has been boosted with delivery of the Damen ASD Tug 2813 Gioia Star. The 85tbp vessel is to the account of Con.Tug, a JV between Scafi and TIL and while a standard ‘next generation’ Damen vessel options include fifi1 and oil recovery capabilities, it is also Tier III-ready via Damen’s modular NOx reduction system.
Turning to Turkey’s Sanmar Shipyards, Seaspan of Canada has taken delivery of Seaspan Raptor, a 75tbp Bogacay-class RAmparts 2400SX tug. First of a pair for Seaspan, the second due in Q2 2021, they were built in 2015 and 2016 having previously operated in Sanmar’s own fleet.
SIZE INCREASE
Seaspan are no stranger to Sanmar-built tugs, these latest escort rated, fifi1 examples joining Seaspan Raven, Eagle, Osprey and Kestrel delivered between 2010 and 2012 and reported to be ‘performing admirably’ in and around Vancouver. Like many similar fleet upgrades, Seaspan cite an increase in average vessel size requiring shiphanding services as the reason for expansion.
At the time of writing another Sanmar-exclusive RAmparts 2400SX carrying the builder’s name Bogacay XLI is in the Gulf of Aden on passage to its new owners Seychelles Ports Authority where its new name will be unveiled. It will be the first non-conventional drive tug for Seychelles and part of expansion plans including extending Port Victoria’s quay by 40m which at 600m long will be able to accommodate two ships of 250m in length.
Caterpillar 3512C main engines each developing 1,765kW drive Rolls-Royce US 255FP thrusters with carbon shafts turning 2.4m diameter propellers in nozzles. Caterpillar also supply two gensets and the port main engine powers a pump feeding an FFS-supplied 1,200m3/hr monitor on the bridge deck forward. A DMT double-drum winch is located forward and performance figures include 60tbp and free-running speed 12kn.
Finally, news from Sanmar involves more of a re-delivery than delivery with modernisation and restoration of the 1985-built, 24m long tug Ozgur for Turkish Safety & Salvage Co. The ceremony accompanying completion was reported by Sanmar to have ‘further cemented the friendship between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which regards Turkey as its motherland, expressing their relationship as two states, but one nation.’
SMALLEST TUG
Turning to orders and returning to Damen, Corps van Vletterlieden has ordered the smallest tug in Damen’s portfolio, a Stan Tug 1004. Vletterlieden are based in IJmuiden and this first Damen-built vessel for the company will carry out a wide range of tasks including mooring, supply, crew transfer and diving support. Modifications to the standard version includes installation of a crane, generator set and coupling winches and the vessel, which was built at Damen Shipyards Changde in China and completed at the yard’s Hardinxveld facilities in the Netherlands is due for delivery imminently.
Finally, and at the other end of its catalogue a significant item of news is where Damen is to design a new offshore terminal tug for Edison Chouest Offshore, Chouest initially building two ASD Tugs 5016 at its Louisiana yard. The order builds on an established partnership where 12 Damen ASD Tugs 3212 and five ASD Tugs 4517 have been built by the yard to date.
The 120tbp tugs will provide escort, hold-back, hose-handling and maintenance duties offshore Guyana, facilitated by a 27m long aft deck, hose-flushing equipment and a full width sump. A workboat will assist hose-handling operations and the tugs, which will feature a hybrid system for when loitering, will also meet fifi1 and oil spill response requirements.
By Peter Barker
Source: maritimejournal
