Uzmar Workboat and Tug Factory, based in Turkey, has delivered the final of a series of six terminal support tugs to Australian mining company Rio Tinto.
Named 'Wamalhanha', the vessel completes the four-year collaboration between Rio Tino, Uzmar, and tug naval architect Robert Allan Ltd (RAL). The debut tug in the series, 'Pilbara Apollo', was delivered in mid-2013.
Based on RAL's RAstar 3200 series of large support tug, the 'Wamalhanha's' main duties will include support activities and escort/towage duties for the Very Large Ore Carriers that visit Rio Tinto's Western Australia-based terminal.
Like her previously delivered sister vessels, including 'Pilbara Apollo', 'Kashima', 'Matsuzaka', 'Barrura' and 'Gurrgura', the vessel design has been adapted for work at Australian ore terminals, including power adjustments and reduced NOx and SOx emissions.
Named in September in Turkey, Rio Tinto's on-site shipyard representative, Peter Bryant, said the tug would be an invaluable addition to Rio Tinto's northern mine exporting operation.
The tug will assist in Rio Tinto's ambitious expansion in Australia's Pilbara region, which will see up to 30 million tonnes per month travelling through its ore terminals (about five Capesize ships per day).
The 'Wamalhanha' measures 32 metres in length overall, with a beam of 12.8 metres and an aft draught of 5.4 metres. Like her previous sister vessels, she is powered by a pair of Caterpillar main engines driving Rolls-Royce azimuthing Z-drives.
