Yuexin delivers three for Myanmar service

The three tugs, Seaop3, Seaop4 and Seaop5 were built for South-East Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Co Ltd and will operate at the company’s China to Myanmar crude oil pipeline project. There are differences in the three, Seaop3 and Seaop4 are straightforward 37m ASD tugs while Seaop5 is 38m in length with multifunctional capabilities. The specifications are otherwise similar with a moulded breadth of 10.6m, depth 4.8m and draught of 3.5m, all are built to CCS classification.

All three have identical main engine installations comprising twin Yanmar 6EY26W diesels developing 3,676kW (5,000bhp) in total, turning twin Schottel SRP 1215 FP Rudderpropeller units. Performance figures include 70tbp and maximum speed of 13 knots. Tank capacities are: 90m3 fuel oil, 40m3 fresh water and 31m3 water ballast.

Deck machinery, including substantial towing winches on the foredeck of all three is supplied by Manabe Zoki Co Ltd of Japan. Accommodation is provided for 12 persons on the Seaop3 and Seaop4 with Seaop5 catering for ten persons. A comprehensive outfit of navigation and communication equipment supplied by MCA was specified: JRC supplying the radar; Furuno supplying the depth sounder, AIS and GMDSS and Simrad providing the autopilot. The navigation equipment is an integrated system supplied by JRC, Furuno and Raymarine.

Visually, all three reflect the differences in design thoughts compared for example to European designs. Seaop3 and Seaop4 have the familiar appearance of ASD tugs originating from the region including a long overhanging foredeck at main deck level with a notable difference between lengths overall and at the waterline. The foredeck is dominated by the combined anchor/towing winch. An extended accommodation block is at main deck level with wheelhouse above.

Seaop5 has a shorter accommodation block (longer foredeck) with an extra deck above, beneath the wheelhouse. The vessel is equipped with an oil skimmer system from Lamor in Finland. Another difference is where the engine exhausts on the Seaop5 are routed through conventional uptakes abaft the wheelhouse while the Seaop3 and Seaop4 exhausts emerge through the vessels’ transom stern.

By Peter Barker