Adani Group has introduced four new harbour tugs to its fleet as it expands towage capabilities in India
The group has a series of 13 new Z-drive tugs on order from Kanagawa Dockyard Co in Kobe, Japan, with the latest, Dolphin 29, delivered to Adani Vizhinjam Port.
Nine of the 13 tugs are yet to be completed and delivered, with six scheduled to be delivered to Adani by the end of 2021 and the other three in 2022.
These 34.5-m Dolphin tugs are built for towing and mooring ships in India’s ports and terminals with 55 tonnes of bollard pull derived from a pair of diesel propulsion engines, driving two Z-drive propellers. Z drives provide for 360º manoeuvrability for rapid changes in thrust azimuth and tug direction. All are built to Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) requirements.
Dolphin 29 is also equipped with an external fire-fighting system complying with IRClass class notation Agni 1, with a total output of 2,400 m3/hr enabling the tug to tackle fires from an early stage.
Adani head of harbour operations Sanjay M Kewalramani said Dolphin 29’s delivery was challenging due to this year’s coronavirus global pandemic.
“Over the years, IRClass has been our partner in procurement of vessels and provided professional services,” he said. “Unhindered and timely delivery of the fourth tug, despite the Covid-19 situation, is a testimonial of these services.”
IRClass vice president and head of shipbuilding project management H V Ramesh confirmed this endeavour. “With our dedicated team of surveyors, the delivery of the fourth tug, in spite of prevailing conditions, was unhampered and smooth,” he said.
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