Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey has delivered Eitan to Italian owner Tripmare for operations in Ashdod Port, Israel
This is a tractor tug with Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) propulsion for efficient ship escort, towage and handling in harbours and terminals. Sanmar built this VSP tug to Robert Allan’s VectRA AVT 3000 design, which was tailored for operator requirements.
Eitan has high-speed diesel engines connected to the Voith units via reduction gearboxes with integral clutches. Its propulsion delivers a bollard pull of 73.5 tonnes and a speed ahead of 13.25 knots, and it has an overall length of 30.25 m, a moulded beam of 13 m and navigational draught of 6.6 m. The VectRA AVT 3000 design can generate escort steering forces of more than 100 tonnes.
Additionally, Eitan has fire-fighting and oil recovery capabilities and its accommodation is fully Maritime Labour Convention-compliant.
Eitan’s propulsion drivetrain incorporates a pair of Caterpillar 3516C high-speed diesel engines, each rated 2,525 kW at 1,800 rpm driving Voith 32RV5 EC/265-2 cycloidal propellers through a pair of Reintjes WAF 863 gearboxes and Vulkan composite shafts.
This is instead of using the more traditional turbo coupling. Sanmar said this combination is smaller, lighter and cheaper than the traditional medium-speed drive system.
The electrical plant consists of two diesel generator sets, each with a rated output of 86 kW.
Eitan was designed with tank capacities to enable extended endurance at sea and fire-fighting. It has capacity for 163 m3 of fuel oil, 20 m3 fresh water and 11 m3 of fire-fighting foam. All towing, ship handling and escort work is performed using a double-drum escort winch and escort-rated staple fitted on the aft deck. One drum can store 710 m of steel wire line, while the other stores 150 m of synthetic towline. Radial-type tow hooks are installed on the main deck forward and aft for increased operational flexibility.
As it is a tractor-tug configuration, the stern is the working end of the tug, and as such features a heavy duty cylindrical fendering with a course of W-shaped fenders below.
Hollow D-shaped fenders protect the sheer lines and tie neatly into the W fenders at the bow.
Eitan’s accommodation is on the main deck with four single-crew cabins and one double-crew cabin, each with their own bathroom. There is also a lounge/mess area and galley facilities in the deckhouse.
Tripmare operates two other Sanmar-built tugs in Ashdod Port, including Arie A and Ashdod.
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