Bisso orders tractor tug for southern US ports

Main Iron Works will start building this azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug before the end of the year for delivery in 2024.

Power of 3,730 kW will be supplied to the tug from two Caterpillar-manufactured Cat 3516E main engines, complying with US Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 emissions standards, each generating 1,870 kW of power at 1,600 rpm. These will drive two Kongsberg US205S azimuth thrusters with stainless steel propellers of 240 cm diameter in stainless steel nozzles, generating an estimated bollard pull of around 66 tonnes.

Auxiliary equipment will include a JonRie Series 240 escort winch, Caterpillar C4.4 118 kW generator sets and a full complement of safety, monitoring and electronic equipment.

Tankage includes capacities for 114,000 litres of diesel fuel, 5,450 litres of lube oil, 5,450 litres of hydraulic oil and 36,000 litres of potable water.

This new escort tug will be the sixth ASD tractor tug constructed by Main Iron Works for Bisso in the past eight years, and bring to 10 the number of Bisso ASD tractor tugs serving the Mississippi River ship-assist trade, making it the largest fleet.

Main Iron Works completed a previous ASD tractor tug, Capt Joseph Bisso, for Bisso Towboat in Louisiana Q4 2021 and Q1 2022.