Kotug expands Guyana tug fleet
Kotug has reported the arrival of three additional tugs for its operation in Guyana, illustrating again how the development of offshore terminal tugs is resulting in impressive clusters of these sophisticated multipurpose vessels now appearing where a high standard of service is demanded.
It was in 2021 that Kotug started what was its first operation in South America with the ASD anchor-handling tug SD Power at ExxonMobil’s offshore operation at the Liza field in Guyana. The following year it was joined by another powerful terminal tug, SD Honour, both supporting ExxonMobil’s two FPSOs. Their activities include static tow, push-pull duties and general offshore support to VLCCs offloading cargo from the Stabroek field offshore Guyana via the FPSOs and on to various oil refineries around the world.
The three additional offshore terminal tugs brings the number of vessels carrying out various duties at the facility to five, with SD Grace, Seaways 20 and Seaways 22 joining SD Power and SD Honour.
Seaways 20 and Seaways 22 are of particular interest, following the Dutch tug owner’s acquisition of Dubai-based and family-owned Seaways International in September 2022, becoming a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kotug Group. The acquisition was part of Kotug’s strategy of expanding its business assisting worldwide floating facilities including FPSOs. Its Guyana operation is operated through the 100% owned and operated affiliate company Kotug Guyana Inc.
Commenting on the latest news, Ard-Jan Kooren, CEO and president of Kotug International, said: “We appreciate the long-term partnership with ExxonMobil. Our well-trained crews especially deserve credit for operating our vessels in a safe and professional manner.”
Vessels in detail
Looking at the towage industry as a whole, the various sectors can be easily divided into specific areas, from small inland waterways tugs pushing and pulling barges to large ocean-going tugs capable of towing virtually anything that floats from one side of the world to the other.
Experiencing particular growth from increasing demand along with the requirement for enhanced standards is the areas of offshore terminal tugs serving offshore floating facilities producing and storing both LNG and oil.
Serving such facilities, often involving heading control duties and the handling of large tankers in exposed deepsea locations, requires a special type of tug able to provide adequate power in all weather conditions, remaining at sea for extended periods and capable of carrying out additional duties including hose-handling, fire-fighting, personnel transfer and oil spill response. While of varying pedigrees, Kotug’s five vessels appear to satisfy these requirements adequately, all with DP2 capabilities and all but one being ASD configuration.
SD Power was built in 2015 by Vard Braila as BB Power for Norway’s Bukser og Berging, before passing into Kotug ownership in 2020. It features a “unique” four-engine arrangement, delivering up to 130tbp. The double-drum winch on the 42.5m long vessel is installed beneath the accommodation, allowing towing operations from both the bow and stern.
SD Grace is one of two similar tugs for Kotug’s Guyana operation
SD Grace and SD Honour, while built by PT United Sindo Perkasa – Batam (hull) and completed by Tai Kong Holdings Singapore in 2018 and 2023 respectively, can be considered near sister-ships. Twin MAN-B&W engines develop 3,280kW/4,466bhp in total, delivering a bollard pull of 120t. The fifi2 equipped tugs have two heavy duty double-drum winches, one forward and one aft.
SD Grace was built in 2018 as Go Koi for Tai Kong Trading/Go Offshore, becoming SD Grace for Kotug in 2023. SD Honour was launched as Golden Honour before taking its current name in the same year.
Seaways 20 is a Robert Allan Ltd RAmpage 5500 tug, described by the designer as the “Swiss Army knife” of tugs. Twin MaK main engines develop 5,940kW in total, driving Schottel thrusters and providing 100+tbp for the 50m long vessel. The vessel was built in 2011 by Keppel Singmarine, Singapore for Seaways International.
Seaways 20 is a new addition to Kotug’s fleet
Seaways 22 is another product of Keppel Singmarine, built in 2013 for Seaways International and now under Kotug’s management. Like the Seaways 20 it retains its original name. Sources say this particular vessel, described as an anchor-handling tug supply vessel, has a length of 44.5m on a beam of 13.5m and a draught of 5.2m. Two MaK 6M25C main engines supply 4,000kW/5,438hp in total to twin shaft propellers providing a bollard pull of 78t.
