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Deliveries include an electric inland tug for a US commercial operator and a ship handling tug for the Royal Thai Navy. Construction meanwhile continues on a tug for a Danish towage provider and a salvage and rescue vessel for the US Navy.
Royal Thai Navy acquires ship handling tug
The Royal Thai Navy recently took delivery of a new ship handling tug built by local shipyard Asimar.
The Lloyd's Register-classed HTMS Tachai was built to a design by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. The tug has an LOA of 31.5 metres, a moulded beam of 12.6 metres, a maximum draught of 4.5 metres, and space for up to 20 crewmembers.
Two MTU 16V4000M54 engines that each produce 1,685 kW at 1,800 rpm drive Schottel fixed-pitch propellers to deliver a bollard pull of 55 tonnes and a free running speed of 13 knots.
Tachai is also equipped with a firefighting foam monitor driven by a dedicated MTU 12V4000M53R 1,140kW diesel engine.
Kirby Corporation christens hybrid electric inland tug
US-based Kirby Corporation, via its Kirby Inland Marine division, has formally named its newest plug-in hybrid electric inland towing vessel.
Green Diamond was built by Kirby-owned San Jac Marine at its facilities in Channelview, Texas.
The tug's electric propulsion system consists of a Corvus Orca Energy 1,243kWh battery pack, two Danfoss 575kW motors, and Caterpillar backup generators. Shore charging facilities will be available to enable the vessel to operate within the Houston area without ever needing to start its generators.
US Navy's first Navajo-class towing and salvage ship formally named
The US Navy recently christened the future USNS Navajo, the lead vessel of a new class of towing, salvage, and rescue ships (T-ATS).
The ocean-going vessel is designed to support the navy's fleet operations. Once completed, it will be capable of supporting a variety of missions including oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue (SAR), and surveillance.
The future Navajo and four other T-ATS are being built by Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana.
Svitzer's newest tug hits the water
A new ASD tug ordered by Danish towage company Svitzer was recently launched into the water for the first time.
The Robert Allan Ltd-designed tug will have an LOA of 25.8 metres, a moulded beam of 12 metres, and a maximum draught of 6.3 metres. IMO Tier III-compliant main engines will drive fixed-pitch propellers to deliver a bollard pull of 60 tonnes.
Accommodations will be available for six crewmembers.
