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JP Knight Go Shopping in Japan
01 Feb 2007
JP Knight (Caledonian) Ltd,; the Scottish branch of JP Knight Ltd based at Invergordon, has returned to Japan to replace the Japanese built tugs Kinnaird and Kincardine, which were sold in November 2006. The result of their negotiations is the purchase of two modern Japanese built tugs for almost immediate delivery and two more that will be available later in 2007. The company has had a long association with the Japanese towage industry and was responsible for introducing the first Niigata powered ASD tug to Europe in 1981. Named Kinross, this first vessel is still in service at Invergordon but has been joined in the UK by many more recent tugs from the same stable.
On the 30th of November 2006, JP Knight (Caledonian) purchased the ‘Tadami Maru’, a vessel of 32.5m in length with a beam of 11.4m and draft of 4.4m, built in 2005. Powered by Niigata 6L28HX main engines developing a total of 4,400 bhp and ZP 31 Z-Peller propulsion units, the tug has a bollard pull in excess of 60 tons.
This first purchase sailed from Yokohama on 1 December 2006,in the hands of a delivery crew, bearing the name ‘Champion’. It arrived at Invergordon late in January and is currently undergoing work necessary to ensure that it conforms with the necessary standards for Lloyds classification and use under MCA rules. It is understood that this vessel is destined to become part of the Adsteam Marine fleet at Felixstowe later in the year.
On 8 February the company took delivery of a similar tug, built in 2006. This vessel is of similar dimensions and has the same Niigata 6L28HX main engines and Z Peller units but with the power rating increased to 4,500 bhp. The tug has been renamed ‘Kintore’ and is on route to the UK with arrival expected early in April. Delivery of both vessels was undertaken by Redwise, sailing under the St Vincent & Grenadine flag.
Of the remaining tugs, to be delivered from Japan later in the year, one is a sister vessel to Champion (also built in 2005) and the second tug is sister to Kintore (also built in 2006). In the words of Mr David Offin, managing director of JP Knight (Caledonian) Ltd, ‘The new tugs will make for a splendid replacement for the Kinnaird and Kincardine that were sold in November 2006 to Terminales, of Venezuela.’
By JACK GASTON
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