A large Latin American tug owner has taken delivery of the first of two vessels being built in Turkey to enhance harbour operations in Mexico and Colombia
Chile-headquartered Ultratug will increase its towage and ship-handling capabilities in Mexico with a newbuild tug constructed by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey.
Sanmar delivered UT Patzcuaro during a ceremony at its Altinova shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, attended by executives from Ultratug and Sanmar. The Turkish shipbuilder constructed this 24-m harbour tug initially as Bogacay LXXIX to Robert Allan Ltd’s RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design with a 12 m beam, 4.5 m depth and 5.5 m navigational draught.
UT Patzcuaro has an astern bollard pull of 75 tonnes, two Caterpillar-manufactured Cat 3516E main engines, each producing 2,200 kW at 1,600 rpm connected to a Caterpillar’s SCR exhaust aftertreatment system which removes NOx to comply with IMO Tier III emissions standards. It has a FiFi1 off-ship fire-fighting system and accommodation for up to eight crew members.
UT Patzcuaro will serve container ships at Mexico’s biggest terminal in Lazaro Cardenas Port. Ultratug is a subsidiary of Chile-based shipping group Ultranav.
“UT Patzcuaro represents a significant step forward in our operational capabilities and reflects our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility,” said Ultranav chief executive Jan Vermeij. “We continue to meet the evolving needs of our ports and clients while maintaining the highest standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Sanmar is also building a Bogacay-series tugboat with similar particulars for Ultratug Colombia, confirmed Sanmar Shipyards chief executive and vice-chairman Ali Gurun.
This tugboat will also have a Caterpillar SCR for IMO Tier III compliance and a FiFi1 off-ship fire-fighting system to support emergency response.
Mr Gurun and Mr Vermeij were joined at the delivery ceremony by Sanmar chairman Cem Seven, Ultratug manager for Mexico Rodrigo Valderas and Ultratug Colombia manager for fleet operations Cristian Franco.
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