Handling Tug Meets the Sea at Uzmar

On February 21, 2014, Uzmar Shipyard, also known as “Workboat and Tug Factory” of Turkey, held a launching ceremony for the KOC MUSANED-2, the second of total 6 line handling tugs being built for Kuwait Oil Company’s tug fleet. These 20 m compact boats are reputed to be the smartest tug of its class by the designer Robert Allan Ltd.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Sami Al-Sawagh as the KOC Team Leader, Tariq Usmani as the KOC Marine Maintenance and Technical Service Team Leader Advisor and KOC Project Representatives Shamroz Khan and Anatoly Shepilboth are DNV officials for KOC.

Capt. Kaan ALTUG, Board Member of Uzmar during his speech stated, ‘’We are proud to build such smart Line Handling Tugs to assist tankers in nearshore loading terminals and at the new KOC single point mooring system further offshore”. He added that “We call them Smart Tugs because these 20 m compact boats are equipped with various machinery and systems that have never designed or build before. Thanks to the designer Robert Allan Ltd. who was able to integrate a very complex list of equipment to such size of a compact boat but those were necessary for the required duties.”

Sami Al-Sawagh, KOC Marine Maintenance and Technical Service Team Leader during his speech stated: ‘’ ..It gives me great pleasure to share my joy, that the process of construction of six Mooring Boats are proceeding smoothly.

We appreciate the hard work, commitment, and professional approach of Uzmar for the continuous successful progress of KOC projects at Uzmar and look forward to see ‘Musaned –II’ honored as one of the most outstanding vessel built at Uzmar.

After the successful completion of this project, which shall satisfy the high expectations of KOC, we shall feel fully content with the excellent quality of work done by KOC and Uzmar, and hope that same spirit and hard work will continue during the construction of remaining vessels of the series’’.

Robert Allan designed, Lloyd’s register certificated, DNV site surveyed tug has conventional twin screw propellers in nozzles, 20.4m in length, with a breadth of 8.5m and a draft of 2.5m. The boat is classed by Lloyds Register with 100A1 Tug, WDL, LMC, UMS notation.

All the required machinery and equipment installation in a 20 m boat was a challenge for the UZMAR’s in-house engineering. Nevertheless, the fully equipped vessel is modeled at a 3D platform to optimize the tight spaces available for future maintenance and servicing.

The tug is powered by twin CAT C32 marine engines each producing 1,200bHP at 2,000rpm coupled through ZF reversing gear box to Teign bridge propellers in nozzles and the triple hi-efficiency rudder system ensures superior maneuverability. This arrangement gives the tug a maximum bollard power of 19 tons ahead and speed of 10.5kts. Caterpillar 4.4 auxiliary generator, rated 86 ekW-50hz at 1500rpm is installed to meet not only domestic shipboard loads but also to power the electrically driven deck machinery.

An outfit of deck machinery from Kraaijeveld includes a windlass, two anchor capstan, electric capstan, starter boxes, and chain stopper. The wheelhouse has all-around visibility and is equipped with navigation and communication systems including INMARSAT Mini-C, INMARSAT Fleet Broadband with the speed of 128kbps, Ship Security Alert System, Data Recorder, NAVTEX Receiver complete Furuno make. The tug is equipped with dispersant system make Ayles Fernie and the main switchboard is supplied by Kongsberg. All accommodation areas and wheelhouse are fully air conditioned.

In line with the KOC’s mission and strategy to maintain highest fleet standards, the Fleet New Building Projects Group (FNBPG) is managing and supervising the fleet renewal tasks from planning to vessel deliveries.

Throughout the new building process, from plan approval stage, on site supervision of the construction until delivery, the FNBPG did utmost contribution to ensure highest safety and quality standards are fulfilled as per KOC governing rules and regulations as well as best international shipbuilding standards.