Shipyards from Japan to Malaysia have produced around 75 tugboats for owners and ports in the region this year
Shipyards throughout east and southeast Asia were active during 2022 building, completing and delivering tugboats for domestic owners and international markets. The region is the most active in building tugboats, producing nearly 100 vessels for ship handling in ports each year.
As of 15 November, around 75 tugs had been delivered in the region stretching from Japan to India, according to shipyard information, broker reports and international newsletters, collated by International Tug & Salvage.
The rising demand for new tugboats is due to the high number of ports of various sizes in the region, from the world’s top 20 in terms of throughput and expanse, to the smaller terminals for exports and harbours for inter-island trade. There is also an increasing need to renew and modernise tug fleets as existing vessels continue to age and become unable to handle the world’s largest ships, including ultra-large container ships.
Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyards in China is the most productive company in terms of tugs completed in the year. It had delivered at least 24 tugs and launched another 10, as of 10 November in 2022, mainly for Chinese owners and port operators.
These are mainly azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs with bollard pulls ranging 50-90 tons depending on the type of ships they handle, their size (20-45 m), and the power requirements (2,500-5,000 kW).
The latest of these completions included Wei Xiao Tuo 1, which was handed over to Weihai Port Barge Co in Liaoning on 8 November. This has an overall length of 39.5 m, a beam of 10.6 m and a depth of 4.9 m. Its 3,824 kW of power give this ASD tug a bollard pull ahead of 63.9 tons, astern pull of 57.9 ton and speed of 13.6 knots.
On 9 November, Zhenjiang Shipyard in Jiangsu province delivered Hua Hai Tuo 8, with 4,020 kW, to Hainan Hongzhou. This ASD tug has a length of 38.75 m, beam of 10.6 m, depth of 4.8 m, bollard pull ahead of 64.1 tons, astern pull of 56.9 tons and speed of 13.8 knots.
Selection of tugs built in 2022 by Indonesian shipyards |
||
Tug |
Owner |
Builder |
Alfian 2001 |
Pelayaran Nasional Wibowo |
PT Palma Progress |
Arjuna Brilliant |
Global Sinergi Maritim |
Buana Cipta |
Ashleigh 08 |
Kemala Shipping |
Patria Maritime Perkasa |
Bina Benua 89 |
Bina Nebua Samudera |
Tuong Aik Shipyard |
Buana Forever II and III |
Buana Maritim Sejahtera |
Buana Cipta |
Citra 82 |
Citra Maritime |
Cahaya Samudra |
Daya 37 and Daya 39 |
Daya Bahtera Sumatera |
Rajang Maju Shipbuilding |
Eustoma |
Fitraia Antarnusa Samudera |
PT Palma Progress |
Global Pacific |
Global Sinergi Maritim |
Buana Cipta |
Hasnur 115 |
Hasnur International |
PT Palma Progress |
Indo Power 15 |
Indojaya Trans Samudra |
Sinar Laut Intermusa |
Karya Pacific 2232 |
Karya Pacific |
KTU Shipyard |
Kelly 07 |
Kemala Shipping |
PT Patria Maritim Perkasa |
Lautian Berlian 919 |
Indonesian owner |
PT Cahaya Samudra |
MDM Bulukumba 32 |
Meratus Line |
Karya Teknik Utama |
Nadia 2001 |
Pelayaran Nasional Wibowo |
PT Palma Progress |
Prima 2065 |
Habco Primatama |
Tai Tung Hing Marine |
Prima 2091 |
Habco Primatama |
Forward Marine Enterprise |
Sakti |
Pelayaran Kurnia Lautan |
Rajang Maju Shipbuilding |
Sinar Riau 01 |
Sinar Riau Samudera |
Kaibuok Shipyard (Malaysia) |
TP TCP 203 |
Transcoal Pacific |
Tuong Aik Shipyard |
Wise 206 and 207 |
Wahana Yasa Shipping |
Tuong Aik Shipyard |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang builds individual tugs for some owners, but can build a series of them for others. Guangxi Beibuwan took delivery of three Xin Beibuwan Gang tugs in Q3 and October 2022 as part of a multi-vessel newbuilding campaign.
Liaoning Longyun Shunze Tugboat, Beibuwan Fangchenggang, Fuzhou Port, Jiangsu Haifu Sugang Shipping, Jiangsu Zhitai and Ningbo Oil Handling Tug & Barge all took at least two tugs each from Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyards’ conveyor belt. And more are coming, as the shipyard has launched several tugs for these owners, but is yet to complete and deliver them.
Jiangsu Zhenjiang past a milestone in August when it delivered its most powerful tug so far for inland waterways operations. ASD tug Su Gang Tuo 6 was built for Jiangsu Sugang Shipping with 4,710 kW of total power, ahead bollard pull of 73 tonnes and speed of 14 knots.
In July, Jiangsu Zhenjiang launched its first ASD tug with hybrid propulsion and monitoring technologies. Qing Gang Tuo 1 is close to completion for Qingdao Port. Its main diesel engines are supplemented by lithium-ion batteries to reduce emissions, while the tug has the China Classification Society i-Smart notation for alarm monitoring and automation systems.
Qing Gang Tuo 1 will have a bollard pull ahead of 60 tonnes and astern of 55 tonnes and a top speed of 13 knots, which is reduced to 10 knots when running only on batteries. Its overall power is 3,824 kW, of which 2,760 kWh of battery power will drive a 600-kW motor.
Other Chinese shipyards completed tugs in 2022, including Rizhao Kingda Shipbuilding, which delivered Ri Gang Tuo 1 and Ri Gang Tuo 2 to the Ri Zhao port operator.
International orders
Guangzhou Shunhai Shipyards is also producing harbour tugs for Asian owners, with Ocean Crest harbour tug delivered to Indian group Ocean Sparkle at the end of September, in the same month as it completed anchor-handling tugs BGMS Superb and BGMS Splendor.
Delivery of Ocean Crest came after Adani Ports group acquired Ocean Sparkle, to become a major force in worldwide port operations and logistics. This acquisition by Adani Harbour Services brings together both companies’ towage, pilotage and dredging operations.
Adani Harbour Services has a series of newbuild tugs being built in Japan by Kanagawa Zosen, with 34.5-m, 495-gt Dolphin 35 and Dolphin 36 delivered in 2022 and Dolphin 37 arriving by December.
Selection of tugs built in 2022 by Chinese shipyards |
||
Tug |
Owner |
Builder |
Baohang 10 and 17 |
Liaoning Longyun Shunze Tugboat |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Beibuwan Tuo 10 and 12 |
Beibuwan Fangchenggang |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Fu Gang Tuo 19 and 21 |
Fuzhou Port |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Hailong Tuo 3 |
Shanghai Hailong Shipping |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Hu Tuo 7 |
Shanghai Dayu |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Hua Hai Tuo 8 |
Hainan Hongzhou Shipping Co |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Ocean Crest |
Ocean Sparkle |
Guangzhou Shunhai |
Oritselaju 30 |
Greenbay Marine |
Guangdong Bonny Fair Heavy Industries |
Ri Gang Tuo 1 and 2 |
Ri Zhao Port |
Rizhao Kingda Shipbuilding |
Shan Gang Tuo 1 |
Shantou Port |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Sin Min 1 and 2 |
Yangon Port |
Guangzhou Shunhai |
Su Gang Tuo 5 and 6 |
Jiangsu Haifu Sugang Shipping |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Taixing Xiao Tuo 1 |
Taixing Runtai Port Co |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Wei Xiao Tuo 1 |
Weihai Port Barge Co |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Xin Beibuwan Gang 19, 21 and 22 |
Guangxi Beibuwan |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Yantian Tuo 21 |
Shenzhen Huazhou Ocean Development |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Ying Gang Tuo 5001 |
Yingchao Shipping |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Yonggang Xiaotuo 11 and 12 |
Ningbo Oil Handling |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Zhen Gang Tuo 6001 |
Zhenjiang Port |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Zhi Tai Tuo 1 and 2 |
Jiangsu Zhitai |
Jiangsu Zhenjiang |
Zinnia Star |
Polestar Maritime |
Wuxi Hongqi Shipyard |
In March, Shunhai Shipyard delivered two harbour tugs, Sin Min 1 and Sin Min 2 for operations in Yangon Port, Myanmar. These 34-m tugs were designed by SeaTech Solutions with a beam of 11.6 m and a draught of 4 m, and with Yanmar engines providing 1,865 kW of power and 12 knots of speed.
Cheoy Lee Shipyards produces tugs of various types from several Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) designs for international markets from its Hin Lee shipyard in Zhuhai, China.
Its latest delivery, in November, was Svitzer Aplaya, the first of a series of escort tugs it is constructing for Svitzer’s operations in the Philippines. These RAstar design tugs have at least 75 tonnes of bollard pull for supporting gas carriers into FGEN LNG Corp’s Batangas Bay terminal.
Svitzer Aplaya has an overall length of 29 m, beam of 13 m, a FiFi1 class fire-fighting system and an Ibercisa escort winch. These were ordered from the shipyard after Svitzer won a 10-year contract for marine services at the LNG import terminal.
Cheoy Lee completed harbour and escort tugs for several international operators in Africa, New Zealand and the Pacific. It completed three 492-gt tugs to RAL RAmparts 3200-CL design for the Tanzanian port authority.
Hin Lee Shipyard also completed Maki and Ika Nui tugs for Eastland Port in Gisborne, New Zealand to RAmparts 2100-CL design and Lloyd’s Register class and Sa’ula-60 to RAmparts 2500-CL design for Apia, Western Samoa.
During H1 2022, Cheoy Lee supplied two 493-gt, 32-m tugs, Kandari-3 and Kandari-4, to Chittagong Port Authority, while the 331-gt Kandari-6 was built by Western Marine in Bangladesh for the port authority.
Cheoy Lee also delivered two harbour tugs, PSA Wanda and PSA Vision, with 70 tonnes of bollard pull to PSA Marine in March.
Wuxi Hongqi Shipyard built the 492-gt harbour tug Zinnia Star for Indian terminal operator Polestar Maritime and Guangdong Bonny Fair Heavy Industries supplied the 489-gt tug Oritselaju 30 to Greenbay Marine for operations in India.
Selection of tugs built in 2022 for Asian operations |
|||
Tug |
Owner |
Builder |
Country of operations |
BCGT Prottoy |
Bangladesh Government |
Khulna Shipyard |
Bangladesh |
Kandari-3 and 4 |
Chittagong Port Authority |
Cheoy Lee Shipyards |
Bangladesh |
Kandari-6 |
Chittagong Port Authority |
Western Marine |
Bangladesh |
VB Fado and VB Likurai |
Boluda |
Pirious Vietnam |
East Timor |
Balraj and Balbir |
Indian Navy |
Hindustan Shipyard |
India |
Dolphin 35 and 36 |
Adani Group |
Kanagawa Zosen |
India |
Mutha Coral and Mutha Citrine |
Indian owner |
Tang Tiew Hee & Sons |
India |
Orion Pushti |
Orion Offshore Services |
Essfour Engineering |
India |
Azuma Maru |
Fukushima Kisen |
Kanagawa Zosen |
Japan |
Sumiyoshi Maru |
Iwata Obama |
Kurinoura Dock |
Japan |
Talimas |
Hung Seng |
Hung Seng Shipbuilding |
Malaysia |
Amberstar |
Pleasant Engineering |
Pleasant Engineering |
Malaysia |
MTS-56 and MTS-57 |
Mitra Bahari Sentosa |
Forward Marine Enterprise |
Malaysia |
Great Wall 12 and 13 |
Africa Great Wall Shipping |
Sapor Shipbuilding Industries |
Malaysia |
Svitzer Aplaya |
Svitzer |
Cheoy Lee Shipyards |
Philippines |
PSA Wanda and PSA Vision |
PSA Marine |
Cheoy Lee Shipyards |
Singapore |
Sa’ula-60 |
Samoa Port Authority |
Cheoy Lee Shipyards |
Western Samoa |
Shen AO VII and VIII |
CPC Corp |
PT Graha Trisaka Industri |
Taiwan |
|
|
|
|
Indonesian completions
Shipyards in Indonesia are highly productive in tug constructions, with multiple owners continuously ordering newbuilds from different builders. Some Indonesian owners also order tugboats from Malaysian shipyards, depending on price and availability.
Buana Maritim Sejahtera, Global Sinergi Maritime, Habco Primatama, Kemala Shipping and Pelayaran Nasional Wibowo took delivery of two tugboats each during 2022. PT Palma Progress was the most active in deliveries, as it completed Alfian 2001 and Nadia 2001 for Pelayaran Nasional Wibowo, Eustoma for Fitraia Antarnusa Samudera and Hasnur 115 for Hasnur International.
Buana Cipta was also busy with the delivery of Arjuna Brilliant and Global Pacific to Global Sinergi Maritime, and Buana Forever II and Buana Forever III to Buana Maritime Sejahtera.
Rajang Maju Shipbuilding also completed multiple tugs over 2022, with Daya 37 and Daya 39 delivered to Daya Bahtera Sumatera and Sakti to Pelayaran Kurnia Lautan.
Some Indonesian shipyards have built tugs for international markets. PT Graha Trisaka Industri delivered Shen AO VII and Shen AO VIII to CPC Corp to assist gas carriers into a new LNG import terminal in Taiwan. KTU Shipyard built Karya Pacific 2232 to a RAL design at its Sagulung yard for its affiliate, Karya Pacific, but with export markets in mind.
This is a 245-gt, ASD tug, built to a TRA2700 design, with an overall length of 27 m, beam of 9 m, hull depth of 4 m and draught of 3 m, and classed by ABS as a towing vessel with unrestricted navigation.
It has a pair of Yanmar 6EY17, six-cylinder, inline diesel engines, each generating 837 kW of power at 1,450 rpm and driving a four-bladed open propeller through Yanmar YXH-500L 4.96:1 reverse reduction gears. This give Karya Pacific 2232 a bollard pull of 23 tonnes and a free running speed of 12 knots.
Rest of Asia
Malaysian shipbuilders Forward Marine Enterprise, Tai Tung Hing Marine and Tuong Aik Shipyard completed tugs for Indonesian owners in 2022. Tuong Aik was the most productive with four tugs delivered to Indonesian owners, including two to Wahana Yasa Shipping, Bina Benua 89 to Bina Nebua Samudera and TP TCP 203 to Transcoal Pacific.
Forward Marine supplied two 179-gt tugs, MTS-56 and MTS-57 to Mitra Bahari Sentosa and is scheduled to deliver MTS-58 in December, and Tang Tiew Hee & Sons finished two tugboats for Indian owners this year. Pleasant Engineering built Amberstar for its own fleet and Hung Seng Shipbuilding completed Talimas for an affiliate.
Sapor Shipbuilding Industries delivered three tugs to African Great Wall Shipping. Also in India, Hindustan Shipyard completed Balraj and Balbir for the Indian Navy and Essfour Engineering delivered Orion Pushti to Orion Services. In Japan, Kurinoura Dock and Kanagawa Zosen completed tugs for Japanese owners.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.