Following a busy 2019 for deliveries and orders, 2020 starts somewhat quieter and includes further investment by Boluda following its takeover of Kotug Smit Towage last year.
Tugs & Towing reported on 84 tug and workboat deliveries last year along with orders for 59 vessels. The coverage was not definitive of course with some deliveries passing unannounced but concentrated on news with a strong European influence, and from beyond where significant on a global scale.
Given that many of last year’s orders will translate into deliveries this year there is unlikely to be any let up in new vessels performing in front of the cameras for their proud owners. There is little sign that the chain of orders and deliveries is about to reduce.
Improved operational efficiencies with shiphandling tugs will continue to influence owners responding to pressures on towage rates partly due to consolidation within ship owning groups. An important influence with investment in new tonnage will be the drive for ‘greener’ operations, particularly where tugs operate in built-up areas. There is certainly no shortage of options here and the prospects for tug designers and builders, while continuing to be competitive must be a positive one.
BOLUDA EXPANSION
Boluda’s takeover of Kotug Smit’s European operation was arguably the most significant item of news from the European towage scene in 2019 but life goes on for the Valencia-based company’s global operations and Pontemar, a Boluda Latam company which provides towing services in Argentina has ordered two tugs from SYM Naval shipyard in Barcelona to operate in Buenos Aires from mid-2020.
Pontemar consider the order to be a major fleet renewal to provide “fourfold higher security, quality and power” than current levels. The tugs will operate in narrow and shallow locks including handling containerships on the Paraná-Paraguay waterway. Given the specific operational requirements, SYM Naval tugs are custom designed including for river ports such as Buenos Aires requiring vessels with reduced dimensions to manoeuvre safely.
Further news of Boluda’s international fleet expansion plans is evident with its order with Damen Shipyards for two tugs to be named VB Gallardo and VB Galante for its Mexico fleet. The pair will join the 32-strong fleet of Boluda Towage Mexico and follows the recent port service contract awarded to Boluda Mexico subsidiary Pacific Maritime Company to provide services in four ports of the State of Baja Southern California: Pichilinque and La Paz as well as in the Pemex terminals in San Juan de La Costa and Punta Prieta.
Damen’s quick delivery times often mean ordering and delivery can span the reporting period of this column and a recent tug order about to turn into a delivery is the 85tbp SAAM Huasteca, a Damen ASD 2813 from The Netherlands-based shipbuilder’s Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.
SAAM Huasteca will join SAAM’s Veracruz fleet with once again changes in a port’s requirements prompting a rethink and following studies, a “new terminal entry criteria” identified the need for more powerful tugs with specific manoeuvrability characteristics with Pablo Cáceras, technical manager at SAAM Towage saying: “In a few months we will be able to satisfy this requirement with our SAAM Huasteca, which has a tremendous fixed-point pulling capacity and the qualities that the escort class notation provides by design.”
ESCORT TUGS
Turning to a notable order beyond Europe but with European contributions, New Orleans-based E.N. Bisso & Sons Inc recently announced the launch of C.D. White, first of two ship-assist/escort tugs to a Robert Allan Ltd RApport 2400 design. It is similar to the tug Gladys B delivered to Bisso in 2016 and includes modifications to accommodate the owner’s operational requirements, regulatory changes and different main machinery.
The new addition is classed by ABS and conforms to USCG Subchapter M rules with main dimensions including length 80’, moulded beam 38’ and maximum draught 16’ 10”. Two Tier 4 certified Caterpillar 3512E main engines drive Kongsberg US205 P20 FP Z-drives delivering an expected bollard pull (ahead) of 62t and free running speed ahead 12.7kn. John Deere gensets are included in the machinery package, one providing power for an off-ship firefighting system via a front end PTO drive incorporating a Logan clutch.
Towing provision is provided by a single-drum Markey electric escort winch forward and a towing post and Washington Chain & Supply towing hook aft.
