Norwegian marine technology firm Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with Turkish Sanmar Shipyards to deliver future-proof thruster units for installation on new Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboats.
According to the technology company, this contract win is particularly significant as one of the tugs, a 60-ton Bollard Pull (BP) vessel, is the first of a next-generation design by towage company Svitzer and naval architects Robert Allan.
This new first-in-class TRAnsverse 2600 tug can generate higher steering forces than other tugs of a similar size and is capable of pushing, pulling and maneuvering in all directions.
“ The TRAnsverse Tug is set to form the basis for a carbon-neutral methanol fuel cell tug which is currently in development, and the future-proof design of our thrusters means they’re already good to go when newbuilds of this nature start to appear ,” Tomi Venttola , Sales Manager – Propulsion & Engines of Kongsberg Maritime, explained.
In November 2021, Svitzer and Robert Allan signed an agreement for the design of the world’s first fuel cell tug for harbor operations, running on green methanol.
Svitzer is working closely with its parent company Maersk to extract and apply knowledge and operational experience of methanol feasibility from the nearshore small-scale tug onto larger ocean-going container vessels.
Specifically, Kongsberg and Svitzer agreed to adapt the US205S FP (Fixed Pitch) azimuth thrusters. The requested power is higher than the US205S units routinely provide, so KM has deployed high-performance gear (HPG) in this project to meet the customer’s requirements. Similarly, KM has increased the thrusters’ speed to 5rpm for this delivery, in line with the TRAnsverse Tug’s enhanced reactivity and maneuverability. The thrusters are also equipped with integrated HD clutches.
Additionally, Kongsberg included a condition monitoring system that will enable extending the vessel’s dry-docking period from five years to seven-and-a-half years, lowering the likelihood of component issues arising which require unplanned maintenance intervals. What is more, a remote access function IS connected to the Aquapilot thruster control system, through which KM can connect to the system remotely to carry out fault diagnostics and change parameters if necessary.
Kongsberg is also supplying full sets of deck machinery for this project. The DM delivery includes a hydraulic, high-pressure, fully auto-tensioned escort towing winch with two rope drums equipped with band brakes and friction clutches. Also included is an anchor capstan with an electric frequency controller and an anchor lowering system which can be operated from the wheelhouse.
“ The excellent collaboration between Sanmar, Svitzer and Kongsberg Maritime’s technical and commercial departments has resulted in optimization at every stage of the development of this innovative TRANSVERSE 2600 tugboat design, including its power, crew safety and environmental impact. We are proud to be the builder of this RAL-designed … tugboat. We are also happy to continue our co-operation with KM for the other nine projects ,” Hakan Tunc , Engineering Director of Sanmar Shipyards, said.