Uzmar builds record-breaking oil spill vessel

Towing provision will often be on the list of operational requirements for multipurpose vessels designed to counter oil spills and in the case of Kuwait Oil Company’s newbuild Koc Al Zour is just one of many features on a vessel briming with capabilities and described by RAL as the most capable such vessel Kuwait Oil Company has ever invested in.

RAL’s RAmpage 6000-ZM design was chosen for the role and while having the ability of an emergency response vessel it also includes supply duties in its repertoire. The DP-equipped vessel has a standard twin ASD configuration delivering a bollard pull of 48.15t and free running speed (ahead) 13.29kn from Yanmar main and auxiliary engines. It is equipped to undertake oil spill response, containment and recovery operations along with area surveillance, offshore firefighting, back flush duties, towing, rescue services and logistics supply duties. It also has a recovery storage system allowing oil transfer to barges and/or shore facilities. Hull shape and the optimised location of anti-roll tanks ensures that best sea-keeping behaviour is achieved while on standby at sea for long periods. Its area of operation is described as ‘the area around Kuwait and nearby international waters.’

Specification details for Koc Al Zour include: LOA (including fenders) 60m, beam moulded 14m, depth 7.3m, maximum draught (navigational) 5.5m. Tank capacities are listed as: fuel oil 325m3, potable water 225m3, recovered oil 758m3, ballast 356m3, firefighting foam 7.2m3. The vessel is classed by LR and carries the notation: ✠ 100 A1 Oil Recovery, Offshore Supply Ship, Fire-Fighting Ship 1 (2,400m3/hr) with water spray, DP (AM), ✠ LMC, UMS.

The choice of a RAmpage design illustrates the versatility of an already well-established class more commonly found as an offshore support tug. It was developed to address demands for high-performance towing, anchor-handling tugs for offshore terminal and oil-field support duties but without reverting to the larger offshore support and anchor-handling vessels often allocated. Ranging in size from 37m to 65m in length, company literature indicates bollard pulls between 90t and 120t, the marque available with Z-drive or twin screw propulsion in diesel-mechanical, diesel-electric or diesel-hybrid configurations.

By Peter Barker