KOTUG hosts Canadian delegation
The past few weeks have been a busy time for the management and staff of Rotterdam based towage company KOTUG International.
On the 24 March KOTUG hosted a visit by the Canadian Minister of Industry, the Honourable James Moore.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper and the Minister of Industry, James Moore of the Government of Canada combined attending the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague with a working trip to the Port of Rotterdam. The visit to Rotterdam was focused on highlighting the trade and business relations between Canada and Europe. The Prime Minister and Minister of Industry were accompanied by a delegation of 15 to 20 Canadian business people.
Minister of Industry, James Moore visited KOTUG’s office and sailed on board of the hybrid Rotortug, the EKO-TUG, RT Adriaan and was inspired by the company’s global success and forward-thinking leadership. He was also impressed with the innovative and sustainable maritime technology and the durable partnerships with several Canadian companies. After the tug trip, James Moore visited the KOTUG office in Rotterdam, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony took place between two Canadian companies Aspin Kemp and Associates, Robert Allan Ltd and KOTUG.
During the ceremony, James Moore said; “I am delighted to witness these partnerships between Dutch and Canadian firms from coast to coast. Having companies like Teekay, Robert Allan Ltd and AKA involved in projects with KOTUG and Damen is an excellent example of collaboration opportunities between Canada and the Netherlands.”
Partnership with Aspin Kemp and Associates Canada
In 2012 the construction of world’s first fully classed hybrid Rotortug, the “E-KOTUG” was developed in partnership with Aspin Kemp and Associates Canada, supplier of the Xeropoint Hybrid Propulsion system.
The E-KOTUG has many advantages: significant noise reduction, a 45% reduction in emissions, and improved fuel economy in the order of 25%.
This represents a dramatic improvement in the vessel’s overall efficiency. Hybrid technology has now become an integral part of KOTUG’s new building program. By mid-2014 two new hybrid Rotortugs the ART 80-32 series will be added to the KOTUG fleet.
These Rotortugs will also be equipped with the Aspin Kemp & Associates’ XeroPoint Hybrid Propulsion System, the latest generation of the hybrid system fitted on E-KOTUG RT Adriaan.
Partnership with Robert Allan Ltd Canada
The revolutionary ART 80-32 Rotortugs are designed by Rotortug BV and naval architects and marine engineers Robert Allan Ltd Canada.
The hybrid Rotortugs are being constructed by Damen Shipyards in Europe.
Recently, a prestigious contract has been awarded to KT Maritime Services Ltd (joint venture of KOTUG and Teekay) for three Offshore Rotortugs in order to support the world’s first ‘FLNG Shell Prelude’ project.
The Offshore Rotortugs are being designed by Rotortug BV and Robert Allan Ltd.
The MOU was signed by Paul Jamer of AKA, Jim Hyslop of Robert Allan and Ard-Jan Kooren of KOTUG and Evan Willemsen of Rotortug.
By Jack Gaston
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