Sanmar Delivers Two ASD Tugs

Two new Sanmar Bogacay Class ASD tugs, both second vessels of their power range are delivered to their owners.

Rimorchiatori Riuniti took delivery in Genoa, Italy, of RR Turchia (Bogacay 702), a Bogacay Class 70 tonne bollard pull ASD built in Sanmar’s state-of-the-art shipyard at Tuzla, Turkey. Although the vessel was completed in under three months from the date of order, the origins of the class go back to the builder’s earlier discussions with the Italian customer and designer Robert Allan Ltd with the express intent of meeting that owner’s specific needs. Interestingly, three other operators also like the end result, having already opted for this design, the Ramparts 2400 SX, which is a Sanmar exclusive.
 

The 24.4m LOA Ulupinar class, of which more than 20 have now been built or are under construction, is the inspiration behind the design but with a beam of 11.25m, a full 2m more than its predecessor. This extra beam offers extra stability and the ability to fit two Caterpillar 3515C HD main diesel engines, each developing 2,000kW at 1,600 rev/min, coupled to Rolls-Royce type US 255 Z-drives to give a healthy 70 tonnes bollard pull and a free-running speed of 12.5 knots.
 

Customers as far apart as Italy and Peru approve of new custom design In the past, Sanmar has delivered seven tugboats to the Italian market for five different owners. Familiarity with Italian flag rules was a distinct advantage in securing this contract as was the ability of an experienced Sanmar delivery crew to take the new vessel from Turkey to Genoa, its new home port.
 

However, it is a TOS crew that is sailing a marginally less powerful version of the same design on its delivery voyage to Peru and into the hands of Svitzer Americas for duty at an LNG terminal in Melchorita near Pisco. Named Bogacay II (Bogacay 602), this vessel has a 60 tonne bollard pull delivered from a twin installation of Caterpillar 3512C HD main engines, each developing 1765kW. Despite its compact size, all Bogacay class tugs benefit from spacious accommodation for up to six persons, and can be fitted with an external firefighting system up to FiFi1 class notation.