VESSEL REVIEW | Sonalika & Sarovar – Indian shipyard completes tugs for own offshore support fleet

Indian shipbuilder San Marine has completed construction of two new tugs in a series for use by its own fleet.

Classed by the Indian Register of Shipping, the 34-metre (110-foot) long Sonalika and Sarovar are the first two in a planned series of four tugs that San Marine will deploy at oil fields in India’s offshore waters. Their duties will include anchor handling, seismic surveys, exploration, and other services in support of clients in the oil and gas industry.

Designed to support the growing local energy market

“The tugs are of a multi-purpose design customised for Indian operations,” Sheik Ahmed Alisha, Director at San Marine, told Baird Maritime.

“There's a lot of oil and gas exploration and EPC contracts in India, so these vessels have ample deck space and accommodation for ten people. They also boast long endurance and economical fuel consumption.”

Alisha added that the main challenges in designing and building the tugs were related to essential equipment and finding adequate space for all critical activities.

“Equipment lead times are very high, as is the case with the gearboxes and other equipment. There is also a space issue. For our company in particular, our yard is fully booked, so we don't have more space in our area. This makes construction somewhat challenging.”

Versatile multi-role platforms

Alisha remarked that the national government has registered all engines, allowing those on the new tugs to be installed accordingly.

“The main customers for the tugs are oil and gas companies such as EFT-O, EDS, and PDS Petro. They also support operations at the ports where these companies do business.”

Alisha said that there are very few such vessels available in the market, so San Marine’s plan is to build at least ten more within the next three years.

The tugs’ propulsion arrangements are conventional with two main engines. Because the tugs will be used primarily in a support role, there was no need to have them fitted with dynamic positioning or intelligent mooring systems, thus ensuring simplicity and ease of construction and maintenance.

“The electronics used on the tugs are all standard,” Alisha told Baird Maritime. “As for the equipment, each tug has a knuckle boom crane, a 3.1-metre (10-foot) crane, a winch, and a capstan.”