Towlines

Rynwaal Shipyards (an associate of Shipyard K Damen )has purchased three former US Army tugs on behalf of the Nigerian Port Authority . The tugs arrived in Hardinxveldt in August under their own power bearing the new names Balali (ex: LT1960 ), Irrua (ex: LT 2081 ) and Ogmoboso ( LT 2092 ). It is understood that the tugs are required as part of a major overhaul and refurbishment programme being carried out by the shipyard for the Nigerian PA – a project involving some 32 vessels. The tugs first sold from the US Army Depot at Hythe in 2002 have been laid up in Southampton. All three of the 30.48m single screw vessels were re-conditioned at Hythe in 1995 and fitted with 2150bhp EMD main engines, new gearboxes and fixed nozzles.