Robert Allan round-up

While outside the usual European region of coverage, the growing global influence of RAL (including into European markets) will be of industry interest in general and worthy therefore of a look at activity at the Canada-based naval architecture and marine engineering company.

RAL has a long-standing history of collaboration with Ningbo Port Company of China and another example of growing interest in ‘green tugs’ is evident with announcement of a contract for a RAstar 4200-DF dual-fuel (LNG-MDO) tug. The agreement follows detailed consideration of the specific requirements of the port.

The new vessel will be powered by two Niigata 8L28AHX-DF main engines, driving Rolls-Royce US255 CP azimuth thrusters delivering a bollard pull of around 80 tonnes. LNG capacity will between 50m3 and 60m3 and it will be classed as a dual-fuel tug with China Classification Society. RAL will also assist Ningbo Port Company with the construction contract tendering process.

RAL has signed a prestigious contract with the Royal Thai Navy covering design of a RAmparts 3200 Z-drive tug. Optimised for ship-assist and coastal towing, an interesting aspect perhaps linked to its naval role is the requirement to accommodate 16 persons to the highest standards. The 32m LOA tug will be built to LR classification, have fifi1 capability, a predicted bollard pull of 53t and free-running speed of 12 knots.

The Z-Tech series of tugs are proving a popular choice for owners and Eastern Shipbuilding in Florida recently delivered the Z-Tech 2400 Triton, first in a series of eight such vessels for Suderman & Young and Bay Houston Towing. Triton follows the Chloe K and Zeus, the first two Z-Tech 2400s for G&H Towing.

Specification of Triton took into account previous experience with construction of eight larger Z-Tech 7500 tugs dating back to 2007. Total power is 3,840kW (5,150bhp) and a predicted bollard pull of 60 tonnes is reported.

Finally, two items of RAL news concerns delivery of Arriero, the first of four RAstar 3200 terminal support tugs along with design of a new generation of RAmparts 2400-W ship-assist tugs for SAAM S.A. The first two, named Chincha and Tupac are for SAAM’s Peruvian affiliate TRAMARSA and built by Wuxi Shipyard in China with more in the series reported to be following. They are equipped for towing over the bow using a high-performance split-drum towing winch. Arriero meanwhile has a towing winch aft as well as a ship-assist winch on the bow. Classed by ABS, the 32m LOA tug is powered by GE main engines totalling 4,880kW driving Rolls-Royce azimuth thrusters.

By Peter Barker