Twin-fin twins for Kotug

The vessels involved are Damen ATD 2412 twin-fin tractor tugs and bear the names ZP Bison and ZP Bear. They were handed over recently to Elisabeth Ltd to operate for Kotug, the ZP Bison now operating in Bremerhaven with ZP Bear based on the River Thames in London.

There has been a flurry of interest in Damen’s ATD 2412 model in Europe recently and the two new deliveries for Kotug follow the earlier delivery of two similar vessels for Svitzer’s European operation (MJ February 2015). Like the earlier pair, the Kotug twins were built at Damen’s Vietnam facilities and shipped across to Rotterdam as deck cargo where they received final attention and preparation for service.

Kotug representatives at both ports were quick to pass on positive comment on their new additions; Doug Harding, General Manager Harbour Towage UK, stated: “We are glad that ZP Bear will complement our fleet of tugs operating on the River Thames to exceed our clients’ needs and to respond our local growth ambitions. After formal inspection by Port of London Authority for acceptance under Towage Craft Licensing Regulations ZP Bear will start operations on the River Thames in London.”

For Kotug’s German staff, they are already familiar with Damen’s ATD 2412 model as Uwe Magnussen, General Manager Harbour Towage Germany, stated: “We welcome ZP Bison to the Port of Bremerhaven to commence assisting all vessels of our clients on the German River Weser as well as through the locks. We experienced the excellent performance of this type of tug in Hamburg already, where we operate her sister tugs ZP Bulldog and ZP Boxer to fullest satisfaction of our clients.”

VESSEL DETAILS
The specification for both vessels is broadly identical, both built to GL class + 100 A5 TUG + MC Aut. Length overall is 24.74m, beam 12.63m, draught maximum 6.45m (air draft 13.25m), gross tonnage 299t and net tonnage 89t. Both vessels are home-ported in Valletta, Malta.

The machinery is supplied by Caterpillar, two 3516 TA HD diesels providing the main propulsion power. Total output of the main engines is stated as 4,200 kW (5,700 bhp) at 1,600 rpm providing a bollard pull figure of 90 tons and maximum vessel speed of 12 knots. Propulsion itself is via two Rolls-Royce US 255 thrusters mounted beneath the tug’s forepart within a docking protection frame located between the thrusters. While looking beneath the waterline, two skeg/fins are mounted aft, each side of the vessel’s centreline and in direct line with the thrusters.

Auxiliary power is provided by two Caterpillar C4.4 DITA engines and the tugs’ tank capacities include fuel oil 69.8m3 and fresh water 8m3, there are no ballast tank spaces on board. A split drum towing winch is fitted on the aft deck positioned directly above the skegs, each drum has capacity for 200m of Ultraline, a work wire of 200m x 80mm Ultraline is also included along with pennants, shackles and KO-Links.

Accommodation is all above main deck (starboard side) comprising two single and one double cabin with a mess room and galley located on the port side of the main deckhouse. A stairway leads up to the wheelhouse which has a split consoles configuration and helmsman’s seat mounted on rails on the vessel’s centreline. Communication and navigation equipment includes: a GMDSS A1 radio station, two radars (sea and river), autopilot, satellite and magnetic compass, GPS, two fixed DSC VHF sets, two handheld VHFs, EPIRB, SART, AIS, GSM mobile telephone and an echo sounder.

Visit Damen Shipyards on stand A75 at this year’s Seawork International.

By Peter Barker