Uruguayan operator orders shallow-draught pusher tug

Transportes Fluviales Fray Bentos (TFF), an inland shipping company that operates out of the city of Fray Bentos in southwestern Uruguay, has awarded Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen a contract for the construction of a new shallow-draught pusher tug capable of assisting non-self-propelled cargo barges.

Upon completion, the tug will have a length of 24 metres and a beam of 10 metres. Power will be provided by two Caterpillar C32 engines that each produce 894 kW at 1,800 rpm.

Delivery of the vessel to its new owner is scheduled for October of this year. The new pusher tug will be used to handle barges transporting cellulose pulp from Fray Bentos to the Port of Nueva Palmira via the Uruguay River.

Concordia Damen said that it thoroughly researched the river characteristics in the region in relation to the desired operational profile of the vessel. The tug is therefore designed to be highly efficient considering local operating conditions.