New Robert Allan Voith Tractor is delivered to Saudi Arabia

This new design, designated an AVT 30/35 Class tug, is suitable for a wide range of duties including shiphandling, harbour towage, line and hose handling duties.Bakri Navigation will use the vessel to assist tankers in mooring and connecting cargo hoses at single point mooring terminals.

The tug was constructed by the Malaysian Shipyard NGV Tech Sdn Bhd to meet the class requirements of Bureau Veritas: 1+ HULL, + MACH, Tug, Unrestricted Navigation Arabian Gulf. Ansar 20 measures 29.70m in length overall, with a moulded beam of 11.5m and maximum draft of 4.8m (150 dwt).

Features of the AVT 30/35 design include a large working deck aft for towing and hose handling and a full height raised forecastle extending almost half the length of the tug to give good seakeeping characteristics for operation in exposed conditions and provide a high standard of accommodation. Fendering at the stern comprises a 600 by 300mm cylindrical fender above a row of 300 mm ‘W’ block mouldings. Similar ‘W’ mouldings are also located forward and aircraft tyres afford additional protection where necessary.

Ansar 20 is powered by a pair of Caterpillar 3512B HD diesel main engines generating a total of 2,700kW (approximately 3,668bhp) at 1,600 rpm. Power is transmitted to Voith model 26GII/165 AE 45 cycloidal propulsion units located beneath the forward hull in tractor configuration. On trials the vessel performed fully to expectations, achieving a mean bollard pull in excess of 35 tons and a free running speed of 13 knots.

Electrical power is supplied by two identical diesel powered auxiliary generators rated at 215 kVA at 440volt, 60Hz.

A single drum towing winch aft accommodates 300m of high performance UHMWPE towline. Hydraulic pressure for the winch is supplied by an electro-hydraulic power pack with 50% redundancy.

The tug has been outfitted to high standards for a crew of up to fifteen persons. Accommodation at main deck level comprises two four berth cabins, two double cabins, a large changing room/wet gear space, and a spacious mess room served by a fully equipped galley. Three single cabins in the forecastle level deckhouse are provided for officers and the lower deck level is devoted to stores and laundry facilities. The wheelhouse is designed for maximum visibility, with two control stations providing maximum oversight of the work decks fore and aft.