RS signs MoU with DAMEN on construction four Ice tugs
RS and DAMEN signed a MoU on construction to the RS class of four new ASD 2609 Ice tugs
Read moreRS and DAMEN signed a MoU on construction to the RS class of four new ASD 2609 Ice tugs
Read moreOn August 31 at the Oppama factory of Keihin Dock NYK received delivery of Japan’s first LNG-fueled tugboat. The vessel has been named “Sakigake” and is expected to confirm the viability of LNG (liquefied natural gas) as a marine fuel and to help cultivate a new business field in the area of LNG as an environment-friendly marine fuel.Sakigake has been chartered to Wing Maritime Service Corporation from NYK, and will be operated mainly at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki. This vessel is the second environment-friendly tugboat operated by Wing Maritime Service Corporation, following the delivery of Tsubasa in March 2013.The new tug is equipped with dual-fuel engines that can use either of LNG and diesel oil, depending on conditions. Compared with conventional tugboats that use marine diesel oil, Sakigake emits about 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 80 percent less nitrogen oxide, and absolutely no sulfur oxide when using LNG as fuel.The small size of most tugboats, the limited amount of space, and the large variation in engine power make it difficult to create an LNG-fueled tugboat. Keihin Dock was able to achieve an excellent level of environmental performance while maintaining the same hull form and steering performance of existing tugboats. ...
Read moreUSCG Sector Juneau personnel responded to the sinking of the 96-foot tug Challenger in Juneau's Gastineau Channel
Read moreThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued the report of its investigation on the sinking of tug Nalani on 22 January 2015 off Oahu.
Read moreIn response to the increasing numbers of claims and incidents from towage operations The Shipowners P&I Club has issued a practical safety and operational guide on tug and tow in response to the increasing numbers of claims and incidents arising from towage operations which have resulted in injuries, groundings, collisions, pollution, property damage and loss of cargo.From 20th February 2011 to 20th February 2013 all claims incidents notified to the Club were analysed for primary cause. Throughout the booklet we have included cases that were highlighted in this study with the aim to share the Clubs experiences so that other Members may prevent a similar event from occurring.Most tug and barge safety regulations focus on hardware and yet experience shows that a good safety record depends upon the safety culture of the entire company. The hardware issues are important, including the proper maintenance and inspection of equipment, but managing the human factor successfully would also lessen the number of accidents.This guide is drawn from the accumulation of experience within the Club and from industry sources including IMO MSC/Circ 8841 (Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towage). It highlights good towing practices and illustrates learning points from reported incidents. It is general in ...
Read moreThe Shipowners' P&I Club issued a case study regarding an error in judgement whilst towing in a channel.
Read moreThe Fairplay Towage shipping company officially launched a new harbour tug featuring diesel gensets certified to IMO Tier III in Rotterdam on 10 July 2015. Powered by MTU Series 4000 engines featuring an SCR exhaust aftertreatment system, these diesel gensets are some of the first gensets in the world already certified as complying with IMO Tier III emission levels which come into force in 2016. Rolls-Royce delivered the two MTU 16V 4000 M63L main propulsion engines, each delivering 2,000 kW, one Series 4000 M23F 16-cylinder diesel genset with 1,520 kW and the MTU-developed SCR system. The exhaust aftertreatment system featuring selective catalytic reduction technology is combined with the diesel genset. MTU is a Rolls-Royce Power Systems brand which belongs to the Land & Sea Division of Rolls-Royce. “We're rather proud of being able to demonstrate the capabilities of this pre-series, space-saving solution to our client in the course of these trials”, says Nadine Buhmann, Head of Marine & Offshore Business at MTU. With trials in the Fairplay tug lasting some 10,000 hours, MTU is advancing its series solution for IMO Tier III marine engines. As of 2016, new vessels operating in the so-called Emission Control Areas off the North ...
Read moreChina National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has taken delivery of Asia’s first tugboat Hai Yang Shi You 525, designed to operate solely on liquefied natural gas as ship’s fuel. Hai Yang Shi You 525, the first of two tugs built by the Zhenjiang shipyard for CNOOC, features a propulsion package based on twin Rolls-Royce Bergen C26:33L9PG engines and a pair of highly reliable Rolls-Royce US 205 CP azimuth thrusters to ensure the tugs have rapid manoeuvring and strong bollard pull capabilities. A successful sea trial has proven an extra gain for both ship speed and bollard pull. Richard Wang, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President – Commercial Marine, said: “We are proud to be powering Asia’s first gas-powered tug so shortly after delivering Borgøy, the world’s first LNG-powered tug, to Norwegian owner Buksèr og Berging. “This order marks a new era for tugboat propulsion technology in China. As its shipbuilding industry shifts focus from standard designs to more sophisticated tonnage, more owners and operators will see the benefit of using cleaner, more efficient fuelling solutions for their vessels.” John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce, President – Commercial Marine, said: “We congratulate CNOOC and the Zhenjiang shipyard on the completion of Asia’s first gas-powered tug. China ...
Read moreThe DOJ announced that the pilor of a tug and tow grounded in Bayou St. John in Alabama
Read moreTowage and marine services provider Smit Lamnalco has taken delivery of the SL Wiggins Island, the fifth and final tug purpose-built at Sanmar Shipyard in Turkey. The tugboats will service three LNG export terminals in the Port of Gladstone on Australia’s east coast. The 80 tonnes bollard pull terminal support escort tug, will now make her way to Australian waters where she will join her sister vessels at the beginning of July. The first of the five-ship Robert Allan RAstar 3400 series — with modifications, SL Curtis Island, was delivered last December and, since then, SL Quoin Island, SL Boyne Island and SL Heron Island have been commissioned. The Bureau Veritas-classed tugs, are 34 metres long, 14.5 metres wide, have a maximum draft of six metres and have FiFi 1 notation. Powered by a pair of Wärtsilä 8L26 diesel engines, each developing 2,720 kW at 1,000 rpm, the tugs have a bollard pull ahead of 86 tonnes, astern of 80 tonnes and a free-running speed of 15 knots. Built specially to assist the berthing and manoeuvring of LNG carriers, close attention to safety has been paramount. The vessels are equipped with gas detectors and gas-tight dampers on all air inlets ...
Read more