Uzmar shipyards has launched a large multipurpose oil spill response and towage vessel for Kuwait Oil Co (KOC)
Al Zour is the largest Robert Allan-designed vessel ever to be built in Turkey. It will be a significant addition to KOC’s fleet and will protect Kuwait’s maritime waters, offshore installations and ports. Al Zour can also tow offshore drilling rigs and support offshore construction work and loading terminals.
This is the first vessel to be built to Robert Allan’s RAmpage 6000 design. It is 60-m long with azimuth stern drive (ASD) propulsion and dynamic positioning with a DP (AM) notation from Lloyd’s Register.
Uzmar launched Al Zour from a Torquoise barge supported by three of its own tugs from its shipyard in Kocaeli, Turkey, on 21 August. Final commissioning and delivery to KOC will be in Q4 2020.
KOC team leader for marine technical services Soud Al Otaibi said at the steel cutting ceremony in September 2019, this vessel would be “one of the most technically advanced oil spill recovery vessels of its type” when completed.
At that ceremony, Uzmar chief executive Ahmet Noyan Altuğ said this newbuilding project was part of a long-term relationship with KOC.
Also last week, Uzmar signed a contract to build four terminal and escort tugs for Karachi Port Trust. Two of these are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2020 and the other two in Q2 2021.
These will be ASD tugs, built to Robert Allan RAstar 3200W design with 75 tonnes of bollard pull and Bureau Veritas class.
Towage vessel technology will be discussed in depth during Riviera Maritime Media’s Tug Technology Webinar Week, from 1 September. Use this link for more details and to register to three webinars
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