Kooiman completes Duke II for use in Russia

Ordered in April 2012 by the Russian company Probus Mare Marine Ltd, this was an important contract for the Kooiman Group. The tug has been built to conform to ‘Ice class 1A Super’ class rules to enable it to operate in the area of Nova Zembla, an archipeligo north of Russia in the Arctic Sea. Due to the large quantities of ice the location is navigable for just a few months per year. It is therefore of the upmost importance that the vessel works faultlessly during that short period.

The design is very similar to several similar twin screw tugs built by Kooiman for Dutch operators engaged in a wide range of offshore and seagoing duties. This extremely rugged vessel complies with the Russian Maritime Register requirements 1+Hul – MACH-TUG Unrestricted Navigation , AUT-UMS Ice Class 1A Super. Measuring 34.30m in length overall, with a breadth moulded of 11.00m and depth at forecastle of 6.45m, the vessel has a mean draft of 4.05m.

A double chine hull form incorporates a high forecastle and a substantial single push knee, both well protected with rubber fendering. The propulsion nozzles are located in shallow tunnels and each is equipped with twin, widely spaced, rudders. An open stern embodies a wide stern roller. The superstructure follows the familiar Kooiman configuration and is positioned close to the bow.

Construction of the hull was sub-contracted to Barkmet in Usti nad Labem in the Czech Republic and transported to Zwijndrecht to be fitted out. The superstructure was built in the Kooiman shipyard.

Duke II is powered by two Mitsubishi S12U-MPTK main engines generating a total of 6,080 bhp to drive fixed pitch, five blade propellers via ZF Masson gearboxes. As previously mentioned, four rudders are fitted and manouevrability is enhanced further with the addition of a transverse bow thruster. On trials the tug achieved a maximum bollard pull of 80.5 tonnes.

The auxiliary machinery is also powered by Mitsubishi diesels. Two 120kVA auxiliary generators are driven by Mitsubishi 6D16T engines and an additional Mitsubishi S6R-MPTK diesel rated at 605 kW powers the deck machinery hydraulic pumps.

A double drum Kraaiveld towing winch is installed in a sheltered area between the funnels. One drum can accommodate 1,000m of 58mm diameter steel wire rope and the other 700m of the same rope. The towlines are deployed through ‘H’ style bits and a single set of hydraulically operated tow pins and line handling gear are installed forward of the stern roller. A small tugger winch is located on either side of the work deck.

The spacious after deck is protected by a timber cladding and fastenings are provided to secure deck cargo or ISO containers. A powerful Heila HLRM 230-4SLK knuckle-boom crane is installed on the starboard side aft of the winch. The crane has a safe working load of 9,800kg at a radius of 16.5m.

Duke II is now in service, registered under the Cypriot flag and managed by JSC Mezhregiontruboprovodstroy of Moscow.