Armon also launch the first Hereema anchorhandler

Both vessels will be fully equipped to carry out long distance towing operations and lay and retrieve anchors for a wide range of floating equipment and plant in the oil and gas industry. Armon carried out the launching on 21 November in spite of labour relations problems affecting much of the Vigo shipbuilding sector at the time. The launch of the second tug Kolga is expected five months later.

The identical sister ships will be custom built vessels of 72m in length with a beam of 18m, considerably larger than the existing Hereema tugs Husky and Retriever. Both will have a bollard pull of 180 tonnes and be equipped with Dynamic Positioning systems to DP-2 standard. In order to achieve the latter and improve manouevrabilty a retractable bow thruster will be installed.

A fuel capacity of 2,500m3 will be sufficient to enable the tugs to sail from Rotterdam to Cape Town, South Africa, without the need to replenish bunkers. The vessels’ anchorhandling capacity will also be impressive. Spanish manufacturer Ibercisa will supply the complete deck machinery package, including winches capable of handling anchors in water depths of up to 1,500m. Due to the massive size of the winches, Ibercisa will assemble them onsite. Accommodation aboard the new vessels is designed for up to 28 people.

Both tugs are scheduled for delivery in 2013.