Boluda Corporation Maritima’s subsidiary Boluda France has ordered a new series of tugs from the Piriou Shipyard. Delivery of the first two units is scheduled for 2019. Built by Piriou Vietnam to a standard Piriou design which meets Boluda France’s specific requirements, this new series of tugs, with a bollard pull of 77 tons and measuring 30.30m in length, will be put to service in ports around France. These 13 knot newbuilds will be built on the OST 30’ (Omni Stern Tug) model and are equipped with two aft azimuth propellers (Azimuth Stern Drive), driven by two marine medium-speed turbocharged four-stroke diesel engines with a crew of 6.

Damen’s RSD 2513 tug (above) kicked off her introduction tour at major Italian ports plus Grand Harbour, Malta, in April. The radical new design of the RSD 2513 is the result of extensive industry consultation at every level to find solutions to the general demand for tugs that are compact for operations in and around harbours and terminals, yet have the power and flexibility to manoeuvre even the largest vessels safely, quickly and efficiently within restricted waters. The 25m tug combines elements of tractor tugs and ASD tugs to create a class of vessel that effectively has two bows, enabling it to always operate bow first. The result is a tug that is equally effective at bow assists and stern assists. A Damen Twin Fin skeg also contributes to the effectiveness of the design, giving the RSD Tug 2513 excellent course-keeping characteristics. The bollard pull is 75 tonnes ahead (push) and 71 tonnes astern (pull). The design brings additional benefits including a higher freeboard than is usual on a tug of this size. This improves safety and stability. The vessel also features a wide range of additional features including the new Damen Safety Glass for the wheelhouse. This is shatterproof glass similar to that used in cars and it represents a huge step forward in crew protection. Other innovations include the glued superstructure to counter noise and vibration, and Damen’s remote monitoring system. 

Keppel Smit Towage named new LNG powered tug KST Liberty at a ceremony held at the Keppel Singmarine yard on 25th April. The 65-tonne bollard pull dual-fuel Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug

carries LNG in containerised, type-C ISO-certified tanks on the main deck, and re-fuelling can be done by truck to ship operations or replacing the empty tanks with replenished ones.

Shetland Islands Council is considering purchasing its new Sullom Voe tug after taking her on lease in March 2018. It has been recommended that the local authority exercises its option to purchase the 447gt/2015 built Multratug 30, costing in the region of £7.6 million. The estimated annual revenue repayments of £647,000 is a more cost-effective option than the current bare boat charter, which will set the council back £1.04 million a year. This decision follows on from the purchase of sister vessel, the 447gt/2014 built Multratug 29.

Svitzer Towage has taken delivery of the 25.3m, 12m beam and 6.2m draught newbuild Svitzer Vale from Sanmar in Turkey. The 70t bollard pull tractor tug is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C HD engines. The Svitzer Vale repositioned to the Port of London during the first week of May and will herself be replaced by sister newbuild Svitzer Meridian in July. The Svitzer Vale will then join the company’s Scandinavia and Germany fleet cluster in July. The 340gt tugs are of the Delicay class Traktor-Z 2500SX design with a 70t bollard pull, maximum speed of 12.5 knots and powered by two Caterpillar 3516C HD main engines, each producing 2,100kW at 1,600 rpm. These drive two Rolls-Royce US255 thrusters with 2,600mm diameter propellers.