Sanmar busy delivering Robert Allan tugs

Sanmar are well established as builders of tugs from the Robert Allan design stable. Suitably equipped to handle serial production of tugs and workboats, the yard’s 144m long fabrication workshop provides space for construction of six tugs at a time with three further vessels being fitted out at adjacent floating jetties. The company estimates they will be able to complete up to 14 tugs annually plus a number of special purpose workboats.

Italian tug owner Rimorchiatori Riuniti had been in discussion with both Sanmar and Robert Allan Ltd for some time to ensure the owner’s specific requirements for a new tug were met. The result is the RR Turchia (ex Bogacay 702), completed in under three months from the order date. Riuniti opted for a RAmparts 2400 SX design, an exclusive variant established for Sanmar for the specific facilities and circumstances at the yard. Three other tug operators have also been attracted to this design and have chosen the same model.

Design of RR Turchia is based on the 24.4m Ulupinar class of which more than 20 examples have now been delivered or are under construction. The 2400 SX is 2m wider than its predecessor however, offering extra stability and allowing installation of two Caterpillar 3515C HD main engines, each developing 2,000kW and coupled to Rolls-Royce type US 255 Z-drives providing 70tbp and a free-running speed of 12.5 knots.

Sanmar’s previous experience with the Italian market, delivering seven tugs to five different Italian owners, provided familiarity with Italian flag rules and a Sanmar delivery crew transferred RR Turchia from Turkey to its home port Genoa.

The second of the same class to be delivered recently is the currently named Bogacay II. This slightly less powerful version is in the hands of a TOS ship delivery crew, destined for operation at an LNG terminal in Melchorita near Pisco, Peru for Svitzer Americas. This example is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C HD main engines each developing 1,765kW and 60tbp.

The third delivery to mention here is the RAstar 2800/80 escort/terminal tug Bison for Norwegian owner Bukser og Berging AS. Ninth of this class from Sanmar, Bison delivers an impressive 80tbp again from Caterpillar main engines comprising two Tier II 3516C models (4,480kW total) powering Rolls-Royce US 25CP Z-drives. The tug’s escorting capability has been improved with a redesigned skeg. Rolls-Royce also supplied towing winches for both fore and aft decks. A number of additional features including the provision for working within hazardous zones and cold climate conditions make this a notable and impressive escort tug.

By Peter Barker