TOWLINES
Bollinger shipyard has launched Ocean Wave, the first of four deepsea tugs for Crowley.
Ocean Wave, the first of four ‘Ocean Class’ deepsea tugs for the Crowley Maritime Corporation was launched at the yard of Bollinger Marine Fabricators, LLC in Louisiana USA on 5 December (MJ – Sept 2011). This first vessel will be delivered during the next three months and be followed by sister ship Ocean Wind. Both are twin screw vessels of 44.4m in length, powered by two Caterpillar C-280-12 main engines generating a total of 10,880 bhp to achieve a bollard pull of at least 165 tons. The pair will be equipped with a Dynamic Positioning, integrated control system to DP-1 standards. The second pair, Ocean Sky and Ocean Sun, will have Dynamic Positioning installed to DP-2 standard and longer hulls of 47.5m. These vessels will also have an additional 850hp bow thruster, a stern thruster and greater electrical generating capacity.
Hamburg based Fairplay Towage has taken delivery of the new deepsea tug, Fairplay 32, almost exactly 5 months after delivery of its identical sister Fairplay 33 (for a full description see MJ – August 2011). Fairplay 32 was named on 15 November 2011 at the Daewoo Shipyard in Mangalia, Romania. A twin screw vessel of 48m in length, powered by two MAN STX 6L32/40 main engines developing 8,160 bhp, the tug has a bollard pull of over 100 tons and a free running speed of 16 knots. At the time of writing the tug is on route from Romania to Norway with the hull of a new offshore supply vessel. On completion of its maiden voyage, Fairplay 32 will undergo further trials in Norwegian waters.
Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil ASA has awarded a NOK900m, ten year contract to Bukser og Berging for two escort tugs to serve the Karsto gas processing plant on behalf of operator Gassco. The contract is expected to commence in September 2013 and includes a ten year extension option. Contractual requirements specify that both tugs will be equipped with oil protection equipment and run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is predicted that around 600 ships will be calling at Karsto every year. Towage services at Karsto have been provided by Ostensjo Rederi since the terminal opened in 1985.
Heerema Marine Contractors has signed a Letter of Intent with Astilleros Armon in Vigo, Spain, for the construction of two new anchor handling tugs. The new vessels will be custom built at 72m in length and with an 18m beam, considerably larger than the company’s existing tugs Husky and Retriever, built in 1978 and 1982 respectively. Both tugs will have a bollard pull of 180 tons and carry 2500 cu/m of fuel, sufficient to sail non-stop from Rotterdam to Cape Town. An anchorhandling winch will be fitted that is capable of handling anchors in depths of 1,500m. Both tugs will be equipped with a retractable bow thruster, Dynamic Positioning to DP-2 standard, and accommodation for 28 persons. Delivery is scheduled for 2013.
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