TOWLINES

A very similar vessel to the Stevns Ocean completed at another Canadian yard in 2003 ( Maritime Journal – July 2003), the tug will be managed by Nordane Shipping of Svendborg, Denmark. The 33.5m tug is designed for both ship assist and ocean towing duties and will be powered by MAK 6M25 diesels, each developing 1,850kW to drive Rolls-Royce US255CP propulsion units. A bollard pull of 65 tonnes is anticipated and delivery scheduled for summer 2005.

German towage operator Bugsier Reederei of Hamburg has ordered a second tractor tug from the Dutch shipyard of K Damen at HardinxveldGiessendam . The first vessel ordered earlier in the year is currently under construction.

Both will have a length of 32.8m, beam of 11.75m and a 65 tonnes bollard pull. One vessel will be equipped for shiphandling and coastal work and the other will be used mainly for seagoing services. Both tugs will be completed in 2005.

Novatug , the marketing company for the unique Carrousel towing system, has taken another step forward with the appointment of a new General Manager and Naval Architect. Rolf Kievits formerly a financial manager in the IT industry, has been appointed general manager and Robert Rodenburg naval architect. An order is also to be placed for a second new Carrousel tug by Terneuzen-based Multraship .Orders for two GE engines have been announced and the company has tendered for the 30m, 80 tonnes bollard pull, harbour tug, with delivery in 2006.

A 65 tonnes bollard pull ‘Multi-purpose’ offshore terminal tug is to be built for Uniwise Offshore of Thailand to a design by Worldwise Marine Engineering BV of Ijmuiden. With an overall length of 45.64m the vessel will have an ASD propulsion system, powered by two Niigata 6L28HX main engines and ZP-41 units.

The tug will be commissioned in 2005 for operation with Chevron .