Targe Towing has taken delivery of two new line-handling pusher vessels from Sanmar to serve tankers calling at one of the UK’s largest terminals
After becoming a subsidiary of Forth Ports in Q1 2021, Targe Towing now operates two line-handling pusher vessels, Gannet and Cormorant, at the Hound Point oil export terminal on the Firth of Forth, in Scotland.
It built these Iyidere-series workboats based on Robert Allan’s RAmbler 1200 design. Iyidere line handlers are a new class of workboat in Sanmar’s portfolio.
Gannet and Cormorant are both powered by two main diesel engines, each producing 224 kW of power. With a top speed of 9.5 knots and bollard pull of 7 tonnes, these vessels have an overall length of 11.95 m, moulded beam of 5.5m and navigational draught of 1.6m. They have a fuel capacity of 3.5 m3 and can carry 12 passengers.
Targe is modernising its fleet with these new line handlers and newbuild tugs. It purchased three Sanmar Bogacay-class harbour tugs in the past few years.
This Scottish owner has provided services for Ineos at Hound Point, Scotland’s largest oil export terminal, for almost 30 years.
The new vessels will carry out line handling operations, assist the berthing of large crude oil tankers, and also support pollution response, safety patrols and will transport crews and light stores to and from the terminal.
The pandemic created challenges in producing these vessels for the terminal, said Targe’s managing director Tom Woolley. “Working up the design and specification of a new class of multipurpose workboat out of the Robert Allan stable was challenging during the pandemic when face-to-face meetings were impossible,” he said.
Sanmar commercial director Ruchan Civgin said it worked with the vessel owner to deliver these vessels. “We work in close partnership with clients at every stage of a vessel’s development,” he said.
“These vessels were a new design project with all that entails, and I am delighted that when Targe came to us with the detailed outline of what they wanted, we were able to provide them with exactly what they needed,” said Mr Civgin.
Sanmar has built several tugs and sold others to UK towage companies in recent years. Earlier this month, Portland Harbour Authority purchased a Sirapinar-class harbour tug, 2019-built tug Sirapinar Xll, to enhance its towage capabilities to commercial and naval ships from Sanmar Shipyards.
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