Delivering future electric tug technology
Macduff Ship Design has been undertaking some interesting development work on future tug technology, in addition to its latest ASD tug deliveries.
The vessel builder has spent the past six months working closely within a consortium of companies including Harland and Wolff, Kongsberg and Echandia to develop the concept for a 25.5m 65 T bollard pull ASD battery electric harbour tug.
”The aim of the concept is to develop a vessel that will meet the needs of most in harbour tug operations within the UK in full electric mode. The vessel will be supplemented by two HVO driven generators for unusual operations including longer coastal voyages and tows to ensure a fully green solution to the requirements of this sector,” said Ian Ellis, managing director, Macduff Ship Design.
“It is hoped that this concept can be developed into a working demonstrator and onto a product that Harland and Wolff can market to the shipping industry. Beyond this exciting project we hope to be able to further develop the concept to apply to smaller and larger tugs and onto other vessel types.”
Tug deliveries
Macduff’s most recent tug completion was the 25m ASD harbour tug PNT Bholu, built by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works in partnership with Tor Group, which provided a comprehensive design, material and supervisory support package.
The vessel is a 48T bollard pull harbour tug and is powered by twin Cummins QSK50-M1 marine engines delivering 1529 Kw @1800 rpm. These each drive a Schottel SRP 360 FP azimuth thruster fitted with a 2200mm fixed pitch propeller. The vessel is fitted with a forward towing winches supplied by DMT and an aft towing bollard fitted with tow hook and is fully FiFi equipped.
Following successful trials, the vessel has now been delivered to the Pakistan Navy where it has started service.
Over the past month Macduff has also completed the 30m ASD harbour tug Abdul 11, which was built by Tor Group and delivered to the owner The Urban Region of the Future, in Saudi Arabia.
The vessel is a 65 T bollard pull harbour and anchor handling tug and is powered by twin Cat 3516 marine engines delivering 2000 Kw @1600 rpm. These each drive a Kongsberg 205S azimuth thruster fitted with 2500mm fixed pitch propellers. It’s fitted with forward and aft towing winches supplied by DMT marine equipment who also supplied the small winches, capstans and chain stopper. The vessel is also designed to complete anchor handling duties with a stern roller and shark jaws and is fully FiFi equipped.
Macduff’s third recent delivery is a landmark design for Macduff Ship Design being the first vessel designed for an Indian owner and built by an Indian shipyard. The 21m ASD tug /service vessel, River Pearl 10, has been handed over to its owners Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited by Synergy Shipbuilders from its yard in Goa, following successful trials where the vessel exceeded the contract requirements of 10 knots speed and 10 T bollard pull.
River Pearl 10 is designed as a multirole tug and service vessel with large open working deck aft, forward focsle and wheelhouse. The main propulsion is provided by twin Cummins KTA19 M3 engines delivering 500 Hp @ 1800 rpm through twin Hydromaster Z drive ASD units all supplied by Parikh Power. On deck there is a main aft towing bollard fitted with tow hook.
