Bluff, New Zealand’s South Port has ordered a new tractor tug from Damen to handle an expected increase in visits from larger ships
Damen Shipyards Group will build the azimuth tractor drive (ATD) tug to Damen’s ATD 2412 design at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam with 65 tonnes bollard pull.
Damen said South Port selected an ATD tug for its ability to undertake indirect towage and for its manoeuvrability and power.
The new tug will replace a tug with 35 tonnes bollard pull to give South Port the option to handle larger ships.
The addition of this ATD will bring New Zealand’s southern-most port’s total bollard pull capability up to 105 tonnes, increasing safety margins during handling of large ships.
Damen said its Vietnamese shipyard has already started building the 24-m tug, with a 12-m beam, and the yard anticipates this vessel to be completed in Q3 2021.
South Port general manager Geoff Finnerty said he expects the tug to be a long-lasting and reliable vessel for harbour operations.
“This investment for South Port represents the largest capital expenditure since their company began in 1989,” said Damen sales manager Asia Pacific Sjoerd de Bruin.
Damen said the sales process was delayed by the global Covid-19 pandemic, with South Port representatives unable to visit Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard and instead being forced to assess other Damen-built tugs operating in New Zealand to finalise a decision.
Damen has delivered Kaweka ATD tug to the Port of Napier, Tōia azimuth stern drive tug and Huria Matenga II tug for Port Nelson. Damen is also building an all-electric reverse stern drive tug for Ports of Auckland.
Tug newbiuldings, stability and safety will be discussed during Riviera’s first ITS TUGTECHNOLOGY Webinar Week on 29-31 March - use this link for more details and to register for these webinars
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