De Hoop tug sextet set to go to work in Caspian

Nauryzbay Batyr — one of two 24.80 m x 10.73 m harbor tugs that are the smallest vessels ever built at Shipyard De Hoop

MAY 30, 2018 — Lobith, Netherlands, headquartered Shipyard De Hoop is completing delivery of a series of six tugs to Kazakhstan-based Caspian Offshore Construction (COC) which, in consortium with Danish Blue Water Shipping, will operate them in support of the Tengizchevroil (TCO) Future Growth Project-Wellhead Pressure Management Project. TCO is a JV formed in 1993 between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chevron Corporation to develop and operate the Tengiz oilfield,

The series of six are of two different De Hoop in-house custom designs.

The four larger ice class tugs — Kabanbay Batyr, Karasay Batyr, Bogenbay Batyr and Raiymbek Batyr — measure 29.15 m x 10.73 m, feature azimuth stern drive (ASD) propulsion units and have a bollard pull of 42 tonnes. Their primary task is to assist with the “straight-line” transportation of barges and vessels with modular cargo, components and supporting equipment, along the CaTRo (Cargo Transportation Route) from the northeast Caspian to the offloading facility in Prorva, in the North Caspian.

The two smaller vessels (24.80 m x 10.73 m), Nauryzbay Batyr and Otegen Batyr, are also ASD tugs, but also feature a bow thruster. With a bollard pull of 30 t, they will be assigned harbor duties and will predominantly be assisting during precise maneuvering actions at the Prorva offloading Facility in Prorva, to ensure all cargo is delivered in a safe and efficient way.

Both designs are characterized by a special hull, with a shallow draft and large diameter propellers.

The four larger tugs have been built at De Hoop’s headquarters in Lobith, while the two harbor tugs have been built at its Foxhol shipyard.

The larger vessels each have two Mitsubishi S16R-MPTAW-2 main engines, delivering 1,380 kW at 1,650 rpm, giving the vessels a service speed of 12,8 knots. The most economical speed is just above ten knots, greatly exceeding the six or seven knots maximum on competing designs. The engines directly drive two Schottel SRp 360FP rudder propellers with nozzled propellers. These main thrusters are slightly recessed, limiting the minimum operational draft to only 2.80 m.

The auxiliary equipment consists of two Veth 116 kW (at 1,500rpm) generator sets, with Sisu 49 CTAG (C0201) diesel engines.

Equipment on the 80 square m deck area includes a Sormec FB series fully hydraulic foldable knuckle boom marine crane. Aft deck accommodates a Kraaijeveld towing winch and a crucifix bollard for 45 ton pulling force, combined with a Mampaey quick-release towing hook. Foredeck features a 15-ton crucifix, as well as two Kraaijeveld barge coupling winches and a Kraaijeveld anchor winch.

Besides the crew cabins, the accommodations consist of a changing room with separate sanitary spaces, laundry, galley, mess room and cooled/dry storages.

HARBOR TUGS

The two smaller vessels each have two Mitsubishi S12R-MPTAW-2 main engines, developing 1,040 kW at 1,650 rpm and directly drive two Schottel SRP 340 FP rudder propellers with nozzled propellers. As in the larger vessels, these are slightly recessed, limiting the minimum operational draft to only 2.80 ms.

Beside reduced fuel consumption, the shallow draft design of the smaller harbor tug had some additional benefits, says De Hoop, resulting in a service speed of 13.7 knots, which is 1.7 knots more than the contractual requirement. So, even though the harbor tug is shorter and has less power than the ASD tug, it still is faster.

The auxiliary equipment consists of two Veth 116 kW (at 1.500rpm) generator sets, with Sisu Diesel 49 CTAG C0201 diesel engines.

The deck equipment on the 70 sq.m deck area includes a Sormec FB series fully hydraulic foldable knuckle boom marine crane, suitable for three metrical tons at an outreach of ten metres. Aft deck accommodates a Mampaey quick release towing hook and a crucifix bollard for 45 ton pulling force. Foredeck features a 30-ton combined Kraaijeveld anchor/towing winch.

As well as the crew cabins, the accommodations consist of a changing room with separate sanitary spaces, laundry, galley, mess room and cooled/dry storages.

Two 24.80 m x 10.73 m harbor tugs have a higher speed than larger ASD tugs ordered by Caspian Offshore Construction