The most powerful harbour tug in the world is to be used in Mexico for the first time. Damen Shipyards has delivered the ASD 3213 ‘Tanok’ to Colombian tug operator Intertug S.A. Intertug operates the country’s most modern tug fleet in terms of horsepower and fleet age. The Damen ASD 3213 has a bollard pull of 86.5 tons and 80 tons astern, and is one of the most powerful harbour tugs in the world. In addition, Intertug ordered an ASD 3212 that will be delivered from Damen Shipyards Galati (Romania) by the end of May, 2012.

 

The booming Latin American market meant Intertug needed the vessel as soon as possible. Damen could offer a delivery time, from stock, of just two weeks. Additionally, Intertug wanted a vessel that provides continuous service reliability and with high residual value.

 

Family-owned Intertug was founded in 1993 as a tugboat service company in Cartagena. Today the company is run by the two sisters, Arlene (CEO) and Vivian Dahl (Vice-President Commercial). Ms Vivian Dahl says: “Intertug is actively working on achieving one of the goals set out in its Strategic Plan for the next five years, which is the expansion and growth of the tugboat business in the Latin American markets with a model based on a modern and powerful fleet, operational excellence, and the best human resources. Throughout the years, we have established a partnership with Damen because of its high quality standards to support these goals.”

 

Since its inception as a tugboat service company Intertug has expanded into related activities. The two sisters embarked on a rapid fleet expansion programme investing in newbuilds. The company now has a fleet of 26 vessels, 13 of which have been designed and built by Damen Shipyards. This includes Stan Tugs ranging from 40 to 70-ton bollard pull and a growing number of ASD tugs. After investing in several Damen ASDs 2810 with a 60-ton bollard pull, Intertug has now broadened its scope by the ASDs 3212 and 3213. 'Tanok' is the most powerful vessel in the fleet.

 

'Tanok' was built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam and is tremendously powerful, with two Caterpillar C280-8/MC engines, giving it a total power of 5,400 kW. The new tug is equipped with a 15m crane with a 5 ton lifting capacity. The ASD 3213 also offers high levels of crew comfort and daylight accommodation, which was one of Intertug’s requirements. The Damen standard ASD 3213 has a double drum fore and aft winch and a large stern roller with towing pins to guide the towing line in adverse weather conditions.

 

The latest addition to the fleet will be providing offshore assistance in Dos Bocas for Mexican National Oil Company Pemex.