VESSEL REVIEW | Lokys – Lithuanian Navy places new harbour support and emergency response tug into service
A new ASD harbour tug was recently commissioned into service with the Lithuanian Navy for operation out of the Port of Klaipeda on Lithuania’s Baltic Sea coast.
The tug, given the name Lokys (“Bear”), was built to meet the Lithuanian Navy’s requirements for a vessel capable of performing a wide range of harbour support functions. Every step of the construction was therefore undertaken in close coordination with navy specialists.
The tug's delivery is in fulfilment of a €10.8 million (US$12.1 million) contract, which was awarded by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence’s Defence Materiel Agency in early August 2024 and which specified a construction period of no more than nine months.
Lokys has a length of 30 metres (100 feet), a beam of 12 metres (39 feet), a top speed of just over 13 knots, a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, and space for eight crewmembers. Its duties will include handling of larger Lithuanian Navy ships and those of the country’s NATO allies, search and rescue, pollution response, firefighting, and port safety and security patrols.
Designed for safe operation under extreme conditions
Two manually operated monitors are mounted just forward of the wheelhouse to provide broader firefighting coverage. The wheelhouse itself has heated double-glazed windows and offers a full 360 degrees of visibility for improved situational awareness when navigating in harbour.
The large working deck, which is covered in anti-slip paint, will enable the tug to support the navy across the region in a wide range of operations. The deck is spacious and uncluttered as all non-essential equipment for towing operations has been omitted, thus keeping the working area free of potential tripping hazards.
The hull is covered in abrasion-resistant coating and is strengthened in compliance with Finnish/Swedish ice class specifications to ensure safe operations ahead or astern even under extreme conditions. The high freeboard keeps the deck water free and closed construction ensures easy removal of ice as well as improved resistance to corrosion.
As an ice class tug, it is heavily insulated against the cold to reduce energy consumption. Additional features include low temperature floor heating and engine heat recovery systems for keeping the interiors warm. The interiors also benefit from low noise and vibration levels.
Combination of durable construction and ease of maintenance
A specially modified bow section has been developed in coordination with Finnish engineering firm Aker Arctic. This offers greatly enhanced icebreaking performance for a given level of power or, on the other hand, significantly reduced fuel consumption for a given level of performance.
The design of the tug also guarantees ease of maintenance by reducing the need for spare parts and incorporating modular systems and components where possible. Thanks to this attribute, only affected systems and components may be removed if needed as opposed to entire large sections of the hull or the superstructure.
Because of the wide hull, the engine room is extremely spacious and all the equipment necessary for regular operation has been positioned above floor level within easy reach. To help keep seawater out of the engine room, a closed freshwater cooling system is fitted.
The onboard tanks for fuel and other liquids are kept free from the hull in order to avoid the possibility of them freezing. This also reduces the risk of spills in case of any damage.
