More Rotor Tugs join the Kotug Fleet

Batteries in Maritime	Autonomy at Sea	Alternative Fuels	Tugs, Towing & Salvage

Examining the growing role of batteries in maritime, questioning their green credentials while exploring industry insights, operator experiences and lessons learned from early electric vessel adoption worldwide.	Highlighting the innovators advancing subsea and maritime technology, from autonomous underwater swarms to cloud-connected assets and data-driven predictive models, reshaping how real-time conditions at sea are understood globally today.	Exploring one of the workboat sector’s dilemmas today: which emerging fuels hold the most promise in terms of cost, availability, practicality and performance? Or should we simply clean up the Black Gold?	Looking at how tugs, towing and salvage vessels are adapting to stricter regulations; contemplating new propulsion technologies and alternative fuels; and changing design strategies for one of maritime’s most demanding sectors.
Read More	Read More	Read More	Read More

Seawork 15th - 17th June 2027	Speed@Seawork 14th June 2027	Seawork Conferences

The 28th edition of Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition provides businesses the opportunity to showcase their services, equipment, vessels and supplies to an international audience.	Speed@Seawork on 14th June in Cowes offers a sector specific event that showcases fast vessels operating at high speed for security interventions and Search & Rescue.	Taking place at the annual Seawork Exhibition in Southampton, UK from 15–17 June 2027, Seawork Conferences deliver a varied programme of sessions featuring expert speakers addressing the latest topical issues in the commercial marine industry.
Visit the Seawork Website	Speed@Seawork on the Seawork Website	View on Seawork

The completion of two ‘ Rotor Tugs’ to the new RT80-32 design heralds a further milestone in the history of this unique triple unit concept first envisaged by Ton Kooren. RT Rob and RT Peter are the first two vessels to be completed by the Niigata Shipbuilding and Repair yard in Niigata, Japan. RT Rob was delivered under its own power from Japan to Bremerhaven via the Panama Canal and RT Peter has been handed over to its owners in Japan.

'RT Rob' and sister ship 'RT Peter' are new Rotor Tugs for the Kotug fleet.

The design of the

RT Rob

series is the innovative result of the close collaboration between designer KST BV in Rotterdam and operator Kotug International.

RT Rob

is the first new tug to be delivered to Kotug as part of a fleet expansion and replacement program that will continue until mid-2012. With a length of 32m, moulded beam of 12m and a bollard pull of over 85 tons over the bow and stern, the tug represents a new generation of Rotor Tugs designed for harbour and coastal towage.

The tugs comply with Lloyds Register rules for the class notation LRS + 100 A1, Tug + LMC, UMS with a range of trade of 100 miles, GMDSS area A2. The new Rotor Tugs are among the first tugs to receive the ‘Green Passport’ statement of compliance under the IMO guidelines on ship recycling, issued by Lloyd’s Register.

RT Rob is powered by three Caterpillar 3512C engines of 1,765kW (a total of approximately 7,194bhp) each connected to fixed pitch Schottel SRP1215 fully azimuthing propulsion units, via Twin Disc 3000LD modulating clutches. A heavy duty, twin drum Plimsoll hydraulic towing winch with a brake force of 200 tons, is installed on the after deck. The fore deck is fitted with a single drum winch of the same manufacturer, enabling the RT Rob to assist ships by working over the bow or stern as required.

This latest Rotor Tug has a new ergonomic wheelhouse design, produced in close consultation with the tug captains, allowing 360 degrees visibility from the operator’s position with all communication and navigation equipment within easy reach. Special care was given to the design of accommodation that is comfortably furnished, with a light and spacious interior with a luxurious appearance. Although RT Rob will normally be manned by just three persons, provision is made for a maximum complement of eight.

A useful advantage of the ‘Rotor Tug’ concept is its considerable inherent redundancy, with three propulsion units and two towing winches. Even if one engine or propulsion unit fails, the towing can be continued with reduced (60%) power.