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Two TRAnsverse tugs completed for Svitzer Australia
A shipyard in Turkey has built two 32-m tugs to a new design to support ships visiting one of Australia’s largest ports
TRAnsverse tugs being built for Svitzer Australia in Turkey are almost completed, with both undergoing testing and sea trials before their delivery. Uzmar Shipyard is building the two 32-m tugboats to support ships in the Port of Newcastle, Australia, at its facilities near Istanbul, Turkey.
In an update from Svitzer Australia, it said both newbuilding projects are close to completion with the vessels launched and commissioned.
“The first of the two new tugs, Svitzer Barrington, has hit the water and undergone sea trials,” said Svitzer Australia. “While there is more testing to be done – early indications are the tugs are exceeding expectations.”
Svitzer Barrington recorded a bollard pull of more than 80 tonnes and a side-stepping manoeuvre at greater than 7 knots during these trials. Svitzer Nobbys, the second 32-m TRAnsverse tug for Newcastle, is expected to commence sea trials in the coming weeks.
Both are built to a TRAnsverse 3200 design developed by Svitzer in conjunction with Robert Allan Ltd with features for efficient ship escort and towage in ports.
They each feature a double-ended hull with azimuth thrusters on both ends, allowing for omni-directional movement and exceptional manoeuvrability.
Representatives from Svitzer visited Uzmar’s shipyard at the end of January to inspect the progress of these two TRAnsverse tug newbuilds. Once completed they will be mobilised from Turkey to Australia via the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Panama Canal and Pacific Ocean.
In Australia, the Port of Newcastle sees more than 4,500 ship visits a year – including large Capesize bulk carriers exporting coal, bulkers transporting grain and agricultural products, container ships, breakbulk freight, cruise vessels and more.
The world’s first TRAnsverse tug, Svitzer Taurus, started operations in IJumiden, in the Port of Amsterdam at the end of 2024. This 26-m vessel was built by Sanmar Shipyards to a TRAnsverse 2600 design, with a moulded beam of 12 m, a moulded depth of around 4 m and a maximum draught of 6 m. It was designed to provide high steering forces, superior manoeuvrability and to use less fuel than conventional designs, including azimuth stern drive tugs of a similar size.
Due to the success already shown by these tugs, Svitzer has ordered four new TRAnsverse design harbour tugs from Hong Kong-based Cheoy Lee Shipyards to renew its fleet.
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