On April, 12th KOTUG´s newbuilding Rotor Tugs RT Champion and RT Leader arrived in Rotterdam. Both tugs have a length of 32 m, a width of 12 m, 7.200 BHP and a bollard pull of 85 tons.
RT Champion and RT Leader are the 5th & 6th tugs respectively of a series of 6 sister vessels, all built at Niigata Shipbuilders, Japan, part of KOTUG´s comprehensive fleet extension and renewal program. The sister vessels left Niigata shipyard on 29th January 2011.
Thanks to the crew of Redwise, RT Champion and RT Leader sailed under their own power to Rotterdam and arrived on 12th April 2011. Thereafter the tugs will be equipped and prepared to commence their towage activities in the port of Rotterdam. KOTUG´s president Ard-Jan Kooren emphasized that despite the present shipping market, also affecting the tug business, his company continues to invest into a modern and strong tug-fleet to keep the high quality of their service.
During this year’s traditional “Haring-Party” in Rotterdam on Monday June 6th, KOTUG performed the christening ceremony of the RT Champion and RT Leader.
KOTUG performs a complete range of independent, competitive harbour towage services in Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven and through its subsidiary in the port of Le Havre. In these ports our tugs assist an array of vessels like vlcc’s, container vessels, car carriers, bulk carriers, tankers, reefers and ferries.
( HME )
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Source: HME, April 14, 2011; Image: marasoft