Scottish owners expand port towage services

Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar is constructing the two harbour tugs for Scottish owners to upgrade marine services for the next decade.

One ASD tug was ordered by Ineos for the Hound Point Forties crude oil export terminal in the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, Scotland.

This is part of a long-term commitment Ineos made to the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) that transports large volumes of North Sea crude oil to the tanker terminal. FPS is one of the largest oil transportation systems in the UK.

Ineos FPS has embarked on a major investment at the terminal, including renewing the tugboat fleet.

The Bogacay tug it ordered from Sanmar will have 70 tonnes of bollard pull for towing and berthing tankers and FiFi1 fire-fighting system for emergency response at the terminal.

Targe Towing has managed the marine services at the Hound Point terminal for the past 25 years and was involved in setting the specifications, along with Ineos, for this new terminal tug.

Subsequently, Targe Towing ordered a tug of its own from Sanmar, in response to the positive capabilities of this tug design. This Bogacay tug newbuilding will enhance Targe Towing’s port operations in northeast Scotland.

When that is delivered, it will join another Bogacay tug, Kittiwake, which has 60 tonnes of bollard pull and was completed by Sanmar in Q4 2017 for operations in northeast Scotland.

Targe Towing provides dedicated towage services in the ports of Aberdeen, Dundee and Peterhead.

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These tug newbuildings are based on the Robert Allan Limited RAmparts 2400 SX design and are being built to Bureau Veritas classification with FiFi1 notation.

Targe Towing recommended changes to the design of the tugs being built for itself and Ineos FPS. This included extending the bow roll fender for push-pull operations and adding oil dispersant systems. Accommodation on these tugs will also be modified with a dedicated office and single cabins with en suite facilities for officers.