Damen’s RSD Tug 2513 Innovation undertook successful towing tests with Svitzer in the Port of Felixstowe from 28th July to 6th August. Fresh from her epic European tour the Innovation undertook a number of tows, in various positions, in a controlled and safe manner, gradually building up until she took on a powered indirect on the 210,890gt/2017 built OOCL Hong Kong, a 400m long and 14.8m draught vessel.

The Port of Felixstowe was selected as it enabled Svitzer to participate in the tests and because the location allowed the demonstration of the RSD Tug 2513’s ability for a powered indirect tow. Setting up the demonstration, Damen worked in close co-operation with Svitzer, and with the port as well as pilots from Harwich Haven Authority. The Innovation performed impeccably and impressed those who worked with her. The tug has since been noted carrying the Kotug Smit logo on her funnels at Rotterdam-Scheurhaven

J. Johannsen & Sohn took delivery of the 477gt newbuilding ASD tug Claus, with a 75t bollard pull, on 1st August 2018. The Luebeck, Germany, based tug owners have taken over a newbuilding from Turkish Shipyard Med Marine in Eregli.

Kenya Ports Authority has taken delivery of the new RAstar 3200 tug Eugene, constructed by Cheoy Lee Shipyards, Hong Kong. The Eugene is 32m long with a beam of 12.80m, a hull depth of

5.37m and a maximum draught of 5.80m. The vessel offers an ahead Bollard Pull of 75.6t and 76t astern. The free running speed ahead is 13.5 knots, accommodation is fitted for 8 persons and propulsion is provide by a Rolls-Royce 255 fixed pitch Z-drive unit, in ASD configuration, powered by a pair of CAT 3516C HD high-speed diesel engines, each rated 2240 kW at 1800 rpm.

Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 3200 ASD tugs, the PSA Thor and PSA Hulk, were delivered to PSA Marine Singapore in August by PaxOcean Engineering Zhuhai Co., Ltd. The 496gt vessels are 32m long with a 12m beam and offer a Bollard Pull, ahead of 82 tonnes and a Bollard Pull, astern of 78 tonnes. The free running speed, ahead, is 12.5 knots. Main propulsion for each tug comprises a pair of Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines, each rated 2,525 kW at 1800 rpm, each driving a Schottel SRP 510FP Z-drive unit, with a 2800 mm diameter fixed pitch propeller.

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered, among other examples, the TRAktor 2500-SX series tug Kinaki to Port Taranki in New Zealand. The 336gt tug was taken to her new home via a 73-day journey aboard Jumbo heavy lift transport’s Fairpartner from Istanbul, Turkey, to Lyttelton, New Zealand. From here she sailed onwards to Port Taranaki in New Plymouth. The 25.3m long vessel has a beam of 12m, a 5.74m draught and a free running speed of 12.5 knots. A 62t bollard pull ahead is available and the 3-man tug replaces the 47-year-old Kupe in the Port Taranaki fleet. The main propulsion comprises a pair of CAT 3512C diesel engines, each rated 1902 bkW at 1800 rpm, and each driving a Rolls-Royce US 205 CP P20 Z-drive unit, with a 2.5 m diameter controllable pitch propeller.

Wilson Sons Estaleiros has delivered the third Damen designed ASD Tug 2411 to SAAM SMIT Towage in Brazil. The vessel is part of a four-vessel order, the final unit of which the shipyard is on track to deliver according to schedule in November this year. The ASD Tugs 2411 that Wilson Sons have delivered to SAAM SMIT are 24m in length, with a beam of 11m and offer a bollard pull of 70 tonnes.