Kotug to order four LNG terminal support vessels

The Dutch owner will order three advanced escort Rotortugs and one 45-m hybrid propulsion RAmpage 4500 anchor handling tug and supply (AHTS) vessel for operations at the Brunei LNG terminal following a new contract agreement covering marine services and ship handling at the terminal for Brunei-based group SPHI Marine and Kotug.

Under the agreement, SPHI will provide support services with three terminal and escort tugs and one AHTS for 10 years, with an option to extend this deal for another five years. Kotug will support SPHI Marine by providing a complete marine package including design, construction, and operation of the vessels.

The vessels will be responsible for berthing and unberthing LNG tankers, standby services during LNG loading, oil spill response, supporting single point mooring facilities and fire-fighting duties.

All four vessels are to have bollard pulls of 65-80 tonnes for towing and escorting LNG carriers at Brunei LNG.

These vessels will be owned by SPHI Marine and fully technically managed by Kotug for the first period of the contract. It has been agreed Kotug will hand the management over to SPHI Marine during the second part of the contract, following a transition period.

SPHI Marine will then operate under its own Safety Management System supported by Kotug through a technical support service agreement ensuring smooth and reliable operations.

Kotug’s existing tugs at the terminal – RT Champion, RT Leader and RT Tasman – will continue operating until the arrival of the new vessels.

“We are able to support SPHI Marine based on our extensive knowledge and experience of providing marine services,” said Kotug chief executive Ard-Jan Kooren.

He praised crew and shore teams operating in Brunei.

“A special appreciation goes out to our seafarers and staff in Brunei who are on the basis of this success having an open attitude to continue learning while remaining committed to the goal-zero safety standards,” he said.

SPHI Marine executive director Dzairenny Muslim said this new contract builds on the existing partnership it has had with Kotug since 2014. “This will allow us to continue to develop local Bruneian offshore marine capability in support of the nation’s programme to maximise in-country value in the oil and gas industry,” he said.