Posted on February 5, 2019
Another New Zealand port has enhanced its towage capabilities with a new Chinese-built tug. Ports in New Zealand have increased their ship manoeuvring capacity as larger ships are berthing at their quays.
A new azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug has started operations at the port at Timaru on the South Island of New Zealand. PrimePort Timaru has taken delivery of Hinewai from Cheoy Lee Shipyards of Hong Kong.
This tug was designed by Robert Allan with an overall length of 25.4 m, draught of 5.05 m and constructed to Lloyd’s Register rules. It was built to a RAmparts 2500-CL design with the hull and skeg adapted for improved manoeuvring and side-stepping capabilities.
“The hull has been optimised for maximum thrust and bollard pull, while maintaining excellent manoeuvring and sea-keeping,” according to Robert Allan. “A half-raised forecastle deck helps to keep the working deck safe and dry, while a gently rounded deck line in plan ensures the tug can safely and easily come alongside and distance itself from an escorted ship at speed.”
Hinewai has an ahead bollard pull of 63.9 tonnes and astern bollard pull of 61.8 tonnes. It has a free running speed of 12.9 knots. This tug’s propulsion comes from a pair of CAT 3516C diesel engines, each rated at 1,390 kW at 1600 rpm driving two Schottel, SPR 430 fixed pitch Z-drive units, in an ASD configuration.
Cheoy Lee outfitted Hinewai to PrimePort’s requirements with a split drum winch and dual aperture staple on the foredeck, a towing hook and deck crane on the aft deck.
- New tug ordered for New Zealand port
- Kinaki heralds a new era for New Zealand tugs
- Pacific Tug delivers safe towage projects in Australasia
New Zealand ports are upgrading their capabilities with new tugboats from different designers and builders, with Port Nelson contracting Damen Shipyards to deliver a new tug to an ASD 2411 design for delivery later this year.
Another key port in the nation, Port Taranaki introduced a new type of tug to its fleet in response to growing requirements for ship support in 2018. Kinaki has become one of the most powerful and advanced tugs operating in New Zealand harbours. This 25-m harbour tractor tug was built by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey to an adapted Robert Allan design.
Source: TUG Technology & Busines
