Two Caterpillar 3516B HDTA main engines generate a total of 5,000bhp to power a pair of Schottel SRP 1215 FP azimuthing propulsion units. The latter incorporates fixed pitch propellers and integral slipping clutches. On trials the tug achieved a bollard pull of 61 tons towing over the stern and a maximum free running speed of 12.50 knots.Adsteam Marloo was introduced in December 2006 and was the fourth new tug to join Adsteam’s Australian fleet during the past year. Two further arrivals were due early in January 2007 for use in Sydney, the Adsteam Warrawee and Adsteam Warang, both ASDs built to the Damen ASD 2810 design

In Britain, Adsteam has chartered the powerful Voith tractor tug Zeus to reinforce their fleet in the south-east until permanent new tonnage is available. Zeus is one of three similar vessels built to the same basic design by Astilleros Armon of Navia, Spain for a variety of registered interests. Named Turm, Wolf and Zeus, the tugs are believed to be destined for a terminal contract in the Black Sea area but not yet required. Turm is currently operating on charter to URAG in Bremerhaven, Wolf is operating in the Mediterranean and Zeus is on charter to Adsteam for 6 months.

Zeus is an extremely well equipped vessel of 34.50m in length overall, 11.60m beam, 6.40m draft and 497 gross tons. The vessel is registered in Koper, Slovenia and classed by Bureau Veritas; 1*Hull*TUG FiFi1 Water spray – Unrestricted Navigation * AUT-UMS, REC OIL, SYS NEQ1. The hull incorporates a full height raised forecastle and steel rubbing strakes forward and heavy rubber fendering aft.

The propulsion system comprises two Voith Schneider 32RS/250 propulsion units driven by two MAK 8M25 main engines rated at 2,640 kW each at 750 rev/min (total approx 7,174 bhp). This arrangement gives the tug a maximum bollard pull of 74 tons and a free running speed of 14 knots.

Zeus tows from a massive twin drum, hydraulically powered, Hatlapa ‘waterfall’ towing winch on the after deck. One drum, with a maximum clutch holding capacity of 2000kN, carries a 350m synthetic fibre towline of 88mm diameter for harbour and escort work. A second drum, with a brake holding capacity of 1500kN for towing at sea is equipped with a 52mm diameter steel wire towline of 600m in length.

Among the vast array of equipment installed is a full outfit of fire fighting equipment to FiFi 1 standards, a skimmer and oil recovery gear, provision for spraying chemical detergent and deploying 200m of floating protective boom. A dedicated tank for recovered oil has a capacity of 42 cu/m.

Zeus is fully air conditioned for both hot and cold climates and is fitted out to accommodate a maximum of 14 persons in two single and six double berth cabins. A reverse osmosis water maker is installed, capable of producing up to 3.2 tons of fresh water per day.

The fully equipped bridge is equally impressive. Navigational equipment includes two Furuno FAR 2117 fully interconnected ARPA radars, a Furuno speed log, GPS, AIS and a Simrad GC 80 gyro compass and AP50 auto pilot. Communications equipment complies with areas A1 + A2 + A3 and includes a Mini-M satellite communications system connected to telephone, fax and email.