Shipyard De Hoop has completed construction of six tugs for a major oilfield construction project in the Caspian. Four large azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugs and two smaller towboats are en route from the Netherlands to Kazakhstan to begin work on the Tengizchevroil future growth project.
These tugs will be operated by a consortium consisting of Caspian Offshore Construction and Blue Water Shipping. They will be used to transport barges full of oilfield machinery and infrastructure through Russian waterways and across the Caspian to the project in Kazakhstan.
By the beginning of April, De Hoop had delivered Kabanbay Batyr and Karasay Batyr. During April and May, Bogenbay Batyr, Raiymbek Batyr and Nauryzbay Batyr were also delivered and completed sea trials. De Hoop completed the final tug of this six-tugboat order, Otegen Batyr, by the end of May.
Kabanbay Batyr, Karasay Batyr, Bogenbay Batyr and Raiymbek Batyr are four 29 m ice-class tugs, each with 42 tonnes of bollard pull. Their primary task is to assist with the transportation of barges and vessels with modular cargo, components and supporting equipment.
The two smaller vessels, Nauryzbay Batyr and Otegen Batyr are also ASD tugs with 30 tonnes of bollard pull and will be assigned to harbour duties. They will assist during precise manoeuvring actions at the cargo offloading facility in Prorva in Kazakhstan.
The four larger tugs were built at Lobith and the smaller two were erected at the Foxhol facilities. Further details of these tugs can be viewed here.
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