Another productive period for European tug builders has provided news of thirteen deliveries and the placing of three orders of note.

This month’s review reflects just part of what is currently a healthy sector globally and while Turkey is geographically part of Asia, Sanmar Shipyards’ Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) designed tugs are a popular choice for European-based clients with five deliveries of note.

Sanmar’s Sirapinar class is based on RAL’s RAmparts 2200 and number eight in the series, Altair was delivered recently to AS PKL Flote in Ventspils, Latvia. Technical characteristics, high quality and reasonable price were factors in the customer’s choice for this 50tbp ASD compact tug order which had just an eight month building schedule in a relationship where PKL Flote commented: ‘Cooperation was always smooth, and we would be happy to continue our collaboration in the future.’

Sohar Port has taken delivery of Svitzer Saham, the last of three Bigacay class RAstar 2900SX 80tbp tugs following Svitzer Sohar and Svitzer Shinas. The trio join 2020-delivered Svitzer Liwa and Svitzer Barka, Sirapinar class variants bringing the total number of Sanmar tugs for Svitzer to 30.

The story of Orkney Island Council’s two new Sanmar-built RAstar 3200SX tugs is now complete with naming ceremonies held for the pair, Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa following delivery from Turkey to Scapa Flow under the care of Sanmar’s delivery crews.

The final Sanmar delivery to mention concerns arrival of M Jeex (ex Dogancay XXV) at Berbera Port for P&O Maritime Logistics on behalf of Somaliland Port Authority. The 45tbp tug is designed for shiphandling services along with emergency deep sea towage in coastal waters.

UK-based Macduff Ship Design has reported completion of trials of one of its tug designs, built by Tor Group, the 30m ASD tug is a development of a similar previous design and the 22nd vessel designed for the Turkish shipyard. A Yanmar/Schottel main engine/propulsion combination on the fifi1-classed vessel produces 45tbp with a 120t brake load winch forward and Mampaey hook aft. News of further orders between Macduff and Tor Group are included below.

Staying in Turkey, Bogazici Shipyard has launched the ASD escort tug Cyathea for Compagnie Maritime Chambon. The RAL-designed 30m LOA vessel is powered by MTU engines driving Schottel Z-drives producing 50tbp and speed 12kn. Kraaijeveld provide a split-drum escort winch forward and double-drum towing winch aft and accommodation with this well-equipped vessel is provided for 10 persons.

While outside of Europe, mention must me made of the latest in a series of shallow-draught salvage and rescue ships from Russia’s Nevsky Shipyard for the Russian Federation. Beysug is third of four MPSV12 class vessels offering an impressive range of capabilities in support of shipping, fishing and oil and gas activities in both open sea and inland waterways. With a length of 79m Beysug can accommodate 150 survivors in addition to 12 crew and 24 salvage technicians with conventional twin-screw propulsion giving the vessel a range of 4,000 miles at 14kn.

Another shallow-draught design delivery is Patria 22, the first of three tugs built to the pen of Netherlands-based OSD-IMT. Built by PT Patria Maritim Perkasa Indonesia, the 23m, 20tbp conventional design OSD-IMT7402 marque tugs will assist 300’ barges along the Barito river in Indonesia.

Turning to orders, there is a Turkish theme again with success for Med Marine with the securing of an order for a RAmparts 2500W, MED-A2575 multi-role tug for Italian operator Somat S.p.A. to be operational in Sicily by the end of this year. Also due for imminent delivery from Med Marine is a MED-A2360 60tbp tug for operation with Svitzer’s German fleet. The order follows an earlier order for two 30m ice-breaking tugs from Svitzer with Med Marine, this latest example described as ‘compact, yet robust and having better manoeuvrability allowing the tug to offer versatility even in narrow and shallow ports.’

Finally, another Macduff/Tor Group collaboration has seen a design and material supply package between Tor Group and Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works for construction of a 48tbp tug to be delivered through the Torgem Shipyard in Turkey. Historic Islamic ties between Turkey and Pakistan along with close cultural and military relations were mentioned in the shipyard’s notes and expected to open further opportunities for shipbuilding cooperation.

By Peter Barker