Tugnology ’09, the second biennial Tugnology conference, that took place in Amsterdam’s Hilton Hotel, attracted 270 delegates from 29 countries.

 

Tugnology was first introduced in 2007 as an interim event to fill gap between the popular biennial ITS (International Tug and Salvage) Conventions. Such has been the success of this latest, short but intense two day event that Tugnology 09 saw a 32% increase in participants over the initial 2007 conference, taking both organisers and participants by surprise. The aim of this ‘no frills’ conference was to discuss a wide range of topics that affect tug owners, designers and equipment suppliers and get to the very heart of subjects that make the towage industry tick. In spite of the global financial situation and the possibility of the current high level of activity in tug building tailing off over the next couple of years, there was an optimistic mood among the delegates. An area was set aside for a small ‘table-top’ exhibition where manufacturers, designers and tug builders could display their wares and which provided a congenial meeting place for delegates during breaks in the proceedings.

 

Seventeen papers were presented over the two day period. The subjects were carefully chosen to address subjects that are currently in the minds of those operating, procuring, designing, building or supplying high tech equipment for the modern tug fleet.

 

Proceedings were opened by a keynote presentation from Captain Jaap Lems, Chairman of the European Harbour Masters Committee and Chief Harbour Master of the Port of Rotterdam. After welcoming Tugnology to the Netherlands, Capt Lems recognised the importance of the towage industry to port operations and gave an enlightening view of how tugs must develop to meet future needs. He reminded delegates of the need of reduce pollution levels from all aspects of port operation, including tugs, saying that regardless of the planned expansion in the Port of Rotterdam, pollution levels must not exceed 2010 levels. He went on to address the need for powerful, highly manoeuvrable tugs, with good communications that can be operated safely and economically, with low levels of pollution, by crews of 2 or 3 persons.

 

Tugnology ’09 was the first opportunity for those in the towage industry to hear the results of recent trials with ‘Carolyn Dorothy’, the world’s first harbour tug with a true ‘Hybrid’ propulsion system, and they were not disappointed!

Susan Hayman from the owners Foss Maritime and Jason Aspin from Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA), who developed the propulsion system, gave a polished presentation describing in some detail the tug and the results of early trials.

 

Carolyn Dorothy was built to an established ‘Dolphin’ class design for a 23.77m, ASD tug with a bollard pull of 60 tons. Two fully azimuthing propulsion units are powered by a unique combination of batteries, diesel generators and/or two diesel main engines. The success of this system relies on a sophisticated power management system, masterminded by AKA, to provide seamless transition from one power source to another during four modes of operation, Stop – Idle – Transit – Assist.

 

Considerably reduced fuel consumption by close to 40% has been achieved due to the virtual elimination of idling, with all slow speed operation being carried out on electrical power only. Minimising diesel engine use also gives a consequent reduction in emissions, lower maintenance costs and dramatically reduced noise, without sacrificing operational readiness. A more detailed account of the Foss hybrid experience will be published at a later date.

 

Several other papers addressed the subject of improved efficiency and reduced running cost and pollution. A trio of staff from Robert Allan Ltd presented ‘Raptures – Resolving the Tugboat Energy Equation’ describing a tool to analyse a wide range of options for typical harbour tug propulsion systems. Representatives from MTU addressed the ‘Latest developments in low emission diesel engines and exhaust after treatment’ and a joint paper from Smit and Damen described their work on ‘E3’ – Economically viable, Environmentally friendly, Efficient in operation. The latter described a study based on a future version of the Damen ASD Tug 2810 addressing all three ‘E’s.

 

A subject close to the hearts of many delegates it that of crew training. The matter was addressed in a down to earth paper from Captain Arie Nygh of Seaways Consultants & PB Towage of Australia entitled ‘Training, Competency, Checking and Professional Development of Masters for Omni-directional Tugboats’. He outlined his own successful training and checking regime and called for a more structured, industry wide approach to examination and competency. Ron Burchett of Burchett Maritime and Brandon Durar of JonRie International described the use of scale models for training and introduced the BRATT, a projected one-man ASD training tug.

 

Among the other subjects that kept the conference room fully occupied for a very full two days were papers concerned with towing gear. Winches and towlines received considerable attention, particularly with respect to high performance escort tugs. Safety, total tug monitoring, and some of the specialised aspects of vessel design, all contributed to a very rounded programme.

 

An introductory evening reception was sponsored by Sanmar, MTU provided a complimentary breakfast, and Damen Shipyards the Gala Dinner, with pre-dinner drinks courtesy of Samson Ropes.