Locally-built tug joins Saam Smit’s Canadian fleet

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ABD Boats of North Vancouver, British Columbia recently launched a new Z-drive tug, the latest addition to the fleet of Saam Smit Towage Canada.

Maritime Journal reported recently that with the new combined operation between Kotug and Smit Harbour Towage for provision of harbour towage in northwest Europe all of Smit’s global harbour towage operations are now joint venture or similar arrangements. Saam Smit Towage are one such venture providing escort and ship-handling services in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Panama and it is with the company’s North Vancouver fleet that SST Salish is now service.

SST Salish will be added to Saam Smit Towage’s local fleet of 22 tugs which provide harbour towage and escort services along the coast of British Columbia, the requirement for the new vessel being driven by the need for higher power tugs to service the increasing size of ships using the port as well as meeting increased safety standards.

The 21.68m long tug has a beam of 10.6m and main power is provided by two MTU 16V4000M61 diesel engines, each developing 2,680hp and driving Rolls-Royce US20 fixed-pitch thrusters delivering a bollard pull of 65t. Ship service power is supplied by two John Deere 4045 gensets producing 40kW of power each.

Frans Tjallingii, president of Saam Smit Canada Inc was reported as saying: ‘The name of our new tug, SST Salish, honors the Coast Salish People who have been the traditional custodians of the seas on which we operate.’ adding: ‘With our choice we wish to show our gratitude for being allowed to be here and the care for the environment that we strive to embody. This efficient, well-built tug will provide a high level of service to our customers for many decades to come.’

By Peter Barker