Rolls-Royce to equip new Chouest mooring/escort tugs

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Vessels will be equipped with towing winches plus auxiliary winches from Rolls-Royce, all based on low-pressure hydraulics

OCTOBER 24, 2016 — Rolls-Royce has signed a contract to deliver propulsion and deck machinery for the 13 new Damen design tugs that Edison Chouest is to build to service two major new mooring/escort contracts (see earlier story).

The contract with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) is worth more than 38 million EURO. The tugs are being designed and built at Chouest shipyards in the U.S.

Five of the tugs will be most powerful ASD tugs ever built — the ASD 4517. With a bollard pull of more than 150 tonnes, the 45 m x 17 m ASD 4517 is a joint Damen and ECO-developed escort tug specifically designed for the sometimes challenging weather conditions in the Prince William Sound.

Rolls-Royce scope of delivery includes both large azimuth thrusters and winch packages, enabling the tugs to efficiently perform their main duties; general harbor assistance, braking or steering the vessel, or performing deep sea towing.

Mikael Makinen, Rolls-Royce, President – Marine, says: “We are looking forward to once again working with Edison Chouest Offshore on this project to deliver our proven technology to its new fleet of highly capable tugs. This contract underlines our capability to supply mission critical equipment to customers undertaking demanding towing operations, where safety at sea, high power and responsive manoeuvrability are all essential factors.”

Eight of the vessels ordered by ECO will be equipped with two US 255 Fixed Pitch thrusters, while five will have US 60 Controllable Pitch Propellers.

All 13 vessels will be equipped with towing winches plus auxiliary winches from Rolls-Royce, all based on low-pressure hydraulics. The five largest of the tugs are to be equipped with winches with dynamic towing capability in the full bollard pull range, this is instead of towing on static brake which is most common for these type of vessels. The dynamic towing capability of the low-pressure hydraulic reduces risk during a towing operation, and reduces wear and tear on tow gear.

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