Construction Starts on Two Salvage Tugs for Semco

The building contract was signed with Singapore based President Marine Pte Ltd and the keels for both vessels were laid on the 29f June. Both vessels are due for delivery in August/ September next year and are already earmarked to participate in the delivery of what is being described as the world’s largest FPSO, the Kizomba A, from Korea to Angola.

The new tugs will be 75m in length overall, with a beam of 18m and design draft of 6m.

A four engine, twin screw, propulsion system has been chosen with two Wartsila Vasa 6R32LNE main engines driving each shaft and generating a total of 13,500bhp at 750rev/min.

LIPS controllable pitch propellers will be installed along with bow and stern thrusters from the same manufacturer.

Special attention has been paid to bunker capacity. Each tug will carry a maximum of 2,200m 3of fuel, sufficient to enable it to tow at full power from Singapore to Cape Town without the need to bunker.

Semco has ordered the new tugs as part of a fleet renewal programme. They are required to meet the challenges of the current market and the increasingly stringent regulations and high expectations of the offshore industry. In addition to a primary role in long range towage and salvage the tugs will be fully equipped for anchor-handling, adding further to their flexibility.