Pelindo III’s need for greater power and manoeuvrability triggered one of the biggest tug newbuilding programmes in Asia, writes Clive Woodbridge
Pelabuhan Indonesia III (Pelindo III), one of the leading port operating organisations in Southeast Asia, is modernising its fleet with new azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugs. It had 15 tugs on order for delivery this year, with eight already in operation. The state-owned body is responsible for managing a total of 43 ports in seven Indonesian provinces, including East Java, Central Java, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.
A strategic decision was taken in 2016 to increase its operational capacity and diversify the range of services it provides through its PT Pelindo Marine Service (PMS) division.
This would improve services to port users as traffic levels rise following a significant terminal investment programme. As a result, Pelindo III embarked on one of the biggest tug fleet expansion programmes in the region. This Jayanegara* tug series is based on Robert Allan’s RAzer ASD designs and is being built locally by PT Dumas Tanjung Perak and PT Daya Radar Utama shipyards in Tanjung Priok, Indonesia.
These 29 m tugs are all 12 m in beam, have a maximum draught of 4.6 m and top speed of 12 knots. However, three different versions of the RAzer design were selected by Pelindo III, with bollard pull capacities of 35, 40 and 60 tonnes respectively. While they all have the same dimensions, they come with different machinery packages.
In total, 15 ASD harbour tugs were ordered for delivery this year, with eight already operating in Indonesian ports.
They are the first Robert Allan tugs to be designed specifically to operate from major ports in Indonesia. They are also the first series of harbour tugs in Indonesia to incorporate modern design features so their arrival marks the beginning of a concerted effort by Pelindo III to bring the local tug fleet up to current international standards.
One of the technical advances these tugs is their integrated bridge systems, Perlindo III chief executive Ari Askhara told Tug Technology & Business. “This feature makes it easier for our captains to operate the tugs through a single integrated console that is within easy reach of their hands,” he said. This feature will “enhance manoeuvrability and improve the capabilities and operational safety of our harbour towage service.”
Another feature of this Jayanegara series is the incorporation of an alarm monitoring system (AMS). This technology can monitor the main engine, auxiliaries and propulsion systems, providing detailed information about bunker fuel usage, accurately and in real time.
“Our latest tug newbuildings are the first harbour tugs in the country that are equipped with this latest technology,” said Mr Askhara. “All of these features will have benefits in terms of reduced maintenance and lower operational costs, helping to cut our bunker spending in particular.”
“All of these features will have benefits in terms of reduced maintenance and lower operational costs”
AMS technology will also enable these tugs to be operated by smaller crews making them more efficient. They are classed by Lloyd’s Register with its UMS notation, allowing them to be manned by as few as three people.
According to Mr Askhara, this investment reflects Pelindo III’s ongoing management transformation programme. This focuses on people, processes and technology, with a view towards increasing labour efficiency and service quality while reducing operational costs.
These RAzer class tugs enhance PMS’s operational flexibility as Jayanegara vessels can be used for pilotage and towage work in ports and can be deployed in the offshore oil and gas sector in Indonesia.
These ASD tugs have been optimised for handling ships in the confined spaces of busy ports, said Robert Allan. The design features a freeboard to ensure a high degree of stability while keeping the superstructure low and well aft to enhance safe working under the flared hulls of ships. It has a low profile at the bow and the fendering system has been adapted to meet the particular requirements of harbour towage operations in Indonesia.
Pelindo III needed more powerful tugs because larger ships are calling at Indonesian ports with more frequency, said its director of engineering and ICT Husein Latief. Another reason was the age profile. “Our existing fleet of tugs are largely around 15-20 years old, so now is a good time to start a replacement programme,” he said.
A more modern fleet could take advantage of internet technology and digitalisation, said Mr Latief. “Having a fleet of tugs equipped with AMS and a fuel monitoring system (FMS) will facilitate our ability to monitor these ships from anywhere.” Pelindo III is building a ship operations centre that can monitor vessel location and condition based on the AMS and FMS technology installed on these tugs.
It assessed a number of possible options before selecting the RAzer class, explained Mr Latief. “We needed tugs that had good manoeuvrability and a shallow draught, due to the limited depth of our dock facilities. In addition, we wanted tugs that look more modern and stylish than our existing tugs to improve our image and perception in the market.”
“We needed tugs that had good manoeuvrability and a shallow draught, due to the limited depth of our dock facilities”
Another factor that attracted Pelindo III to the RAzer class was the fact that the wheelhouse position enabled the company to better serve those ships which have larger bow flares, due to their relatively high gross tonnage. “Besides that, on these tugs all the equipment is well arranged and ergonomic, making them easier to operate and maintain,” observed Mr Latief.
Having taken delivery of the first batch of RAzer tugs in early 2018, Pelindo III now has a number of months of in-service experience with the vessels. They have been deployed to terminals in the Tanjung Perak area, including the new Telekom Lamong and Petikmas Surabaya terminals, and Benoa Bali, Tanjung Emas Semarang, Tanjung Intan and Banjarmasin ports.
“Performance of the new tugs has matched our expectations in manoeuvrability and bollard pull capabilities,” said Mr Latief. This initial 15-tug investment programme is not likely to be the last, as Pelindo III intends to expand and rejuvenate the fleet of tugs operated through PMS over the next ten years.
*Jayanegara means glorious nation in old Javanese
Jayanegara tugs’ propulsion details
Of the 15 Jayanegara tugs ordered by Pelindo III, RAzer 2960 design vessels have the highest bollard pull capacity of 60 tonnes. These are powered by pairs of Caterpillar C280-6 main engines, each rated at 1,850 kW at 1,000 rpm, which each drive a Schottel SRP 151 Z-drive unit.
In the medium range of 40 tonnes bollard pull, RAzer 2940 tugs have a pair of Caterpillar 3516B engines each rated at 1,379 kW at 1,200 rpm, driving pairs of Schottel SRP 1012 Z-drives. RAzer 2935 tugs have 35 tonnes of bollard pull that comes from a pair of Caterpillar 3512C engines and Schottel 1012 Z-drives.
All of these tugs have a fire-fighting system, supplied by FFS. Deck machinery includes a bow-mounted ship-assist hawser winch and an aft tow hook. Accommodation areas have been outfitted for a standard crew of four, but up to 10 seafarers can be accommodated if required for longer haul operations.
Jayanegara tug newbuildings
Type: harbour/terminal tugs
Amount ordered: 15 tugs
Operating country: Indonesia
Builders: PT Dumas Tanjung Perak and PT Daya Radar Utama
Designer: Robert Allan
Design: RAzer ASD type
Length, oa: 29 m
Beam, mld: 12 m
Maximum draught: 4.6 m
Bollard pull range: 35-60 tonnes
Maximum speed: 12 knots
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