United States-based Leevac Shipyards has recently delivered the 'Zeus', the second of two Robert Allan Ltd-designed Z-Tech 2400-series tugs.
The 'Zeus' was delivered to Suderman and Young Towing Company in December. The delivery followed the earlier delivery of 'Zeus's sister vessel, 'Chloe K', to towing company Bay-Houston in September. Both vessel owners are based in Houston, Texas, and are operated by G&H Towing of Galveston.
Measuring 24.4 metres in length, with a breadth of 11.7 metres and a draught of 5.12 metres, the Z-Tech-class tugs are designed primarily for operation in major ports and marine terminals.
Built to ABS notation and outfitted for a crew of six people, the vessels feature a power package comprising two Caterpillar 3516C HD engines, each rated at 1,920kW and driving Schottel Z-drives. For on board electrics, two 99kW John Deere generator sets are supplied.
During sea trials, the tugs achieved an average speed of 12.3 knots and bollard pulls of 61.1 tonnes. According to Robert Allan Ltd, the design of the Z-Tech tug emphasises safe and capable ship-handling operations with large ships, particularly those with extreme flares. The design also offers omni-directional performance capability, with similar ahead and astern speeds and bollard pulls.
Lastly, on board deck machinery comprises a Markey hawser winch located forward. The aft deck has a tow bitt of 60 tonnes SWL.