Port of Tauranga has signed a contract for two new tug boats. Cheoy Lee, of Hong Kong, has been awarded this contract to construct two RAmparts 2500w Ship-Assist Tugs.
The proven RAmparts design is by Robert Allan, one of the world’s leading tug designers.
These vessels are 24m Azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs. They will be powered by twin 3516C Caterpillar engines, operating Rolls Royce thrusters. Each tug, with engine power of 4700 Kw, will produce a bollard pull of 74 tonnes.
The first vessel will arrive in Tauranga February 2015 with the second vessel being delivered two months later. “They will replace the Kaimai and Te Matua and greatly enhance the Port’s towage capacity and ability to handle the next generation of large ships,” says Commercial Manager Leonard Sampson .
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Port of Tuaranga, February 4, 2014; Image: RAL