Robert Allan Ltd., naval architect and marine engineer company, announced that has recently begun construction, in Brazil, of a modern fleet of pusher tugs and barges for Louis Dreyfus Company, a global merchant and processor of agricultural goods. The vessels will transport bulk grain products on the Amazon River system, with an expected delivery in 2017.
The shallow-draft fleet includes:
- Three RApide 4000-Z3 class mainline pusher tugs (under construction at INACE shipyard in Fortaleza, Brazil)
- One RApide 2600-Z3 class pusher tug
- Three RApide 2000-Z2 class port-assist pusher tugs
- Sixty-four jumbo hopper barges (under construction at Estaleiro Rio Maguari in Belem, Brazil)
The company notes that, during the early phases of design, extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to optimize the hull shapes to minimize total convoy resistance. In all cases, the z-drives are fitted in customized tunnels designed to optimize flow and propulsion efficiency, while reducing draft. In conjunction, logistics modelling of the transportation system optimized the selection of vessels for the desired route and analyzed operational drafts and cargo throughput, at various river levels.
These studies aim to reduce the overall cost of transportation, while the design of the vessels increases the standards of safety, manoeuvrability and comfort in the river system.
All vessels are designed to meet ABS and Brazilian Flag State requirements and provide high standards for crew comfort and safety. In each boat, the wheelhouse provides maximum all-round visibility, with a split forward control station, providing unobstructed vision to the foredeck working area, as well as to the convoy of barges ahead. Common equipment throughout the fleet will limit the number of spares required and ease with maintenance.
Source & Image credit: Robert Allan
