TOWLINES

The 80tbp tug will support the UK Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers at Portsmouth Naval Base. It will be the first of its type flying the UK flag and provide the power, manoeuvrability and flexibility to support the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, the two largest ships ever commissioned for the Royal Navy.

The tug, construction of which is currently well underway is due to be delivered in early 2017 and role-specific modifications include a double-drum render/recovery winch aft (as well as forward) for redundancy, foldable mast for safe operation under the flight deck overhang, grey fendering and CP propellers instead of the usual FP propellers on other ART 80-32 tugs.

At a signing ceremony held recently in Abu Dhabi UAE, Dutch maritime service provider Seacontractors announced the opening of their new branch office in the Middle East. As of February 2016 Area Manager Middle East, Maarten Brassmer has moved on a permanent basis to Dubai on behalf of Seacontractors.

Seacontractors operate a diverse fleet of offshore support vessels globally and feature regularly in MJ. A snapshot of activities at the time of writing indicates four of their B-Class tug/workboats operating in the Persian Gulf.

Shetland Islands Council has reportedly found a buyer for its two Sullom Voe tugs Solan and Bonxie with the two powerful ship-handling tugs apparently moving to Venice-based Rimorchiatori Riuniti Panfido for operation at Naples.

The two tractor tugs were built in Spain in 2010 and faced problems from the start which eventually led to them being taken out of service and subsequently put on the market. Shetland Islands Council stated that the towing requirements at the Sullom Voe terminal had changed since they were commissioned hence their decision to dispose of them. At the time of writing Solan was reported to be in Vigo carrying the name Giovanni Calderan.

The second of a pair of Damen ATD 2909 tugs has now been delivered to the South African Navy. The vessel, named Inyathi was built at Damen Shipyards Cape Town and follows first in the series Imvubu delivered in 2015. It was handed over at the naval base in Simon’s Town.

The pair will have a demanding role being required to carry out towing, mooring and fire-fighting operations for the South African Navy’s current and future fleet of vessels in conditions of heavy seas and restricted visibility around the clock within the confines of South African ports and in coastal waters. The 29m LOA tugs have a high indirect towing force on a bollard pull of 43t. They were outfitted with SA Navy equipment to ensure duplication and maintenance saving.

By Peter Barker