China’s first Robert Allan designed DF tug enters service

Written by Nick Blenkey
image description

Gong Gang Xiao Tuo 60 is the first Robert Allan Ltd. designed dual-fuel tug to operate in China

Vancouver, B.C., based naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. reports that the first ever dual-fueled RAstar 3800-DF tug was recently delivered to China’s Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Ltd. Named Yong Gang Xiao Tuo 60, the tug was built by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard. It is the tenth vessel customized by Robert Allan Ltd. in collaboration with Ningbo Port Company. It is also the first Robert Allan Ltd. designed dual-fuel tug to operate in China.

The tug is powered by a pair of Niigata 8L28AHX-DF dual-fuel engines, each rated at 2,389 kW at 800 rpm, and driving Kongsberg US 255 CP 2.8 meter diameter controllable pitch Z-drives.

Bollard pull recorded on trials met all expectations and is certified as 80.3 tonnes ahead. Recorded speed ahead is 13.5 knots.

The LNG tank and fuel gas system have been supplied by Gloryholder Liquefied Machinery (DL) Co., Ltd. of China. Gross capacity of the tank is 55 cu.m, which is suitable for a range of over 700 nautical miles in gas mode and can be supplemented by additional range of nearly 1,700 nautical miles in diesel mode.

The double drum hydraulic hawser winch forward is supplied by Singapore’s W-Rig, which is also supplying capstans for both the forward and aft decks, as well as the anchor windlasses. The tow hook aft is supplied by Mampaey.

A Fi-Fi 1 class off-ship fire-fighting system with pumps driven off the front of each main engine is also part of the tug’s outfit and capabilities, with equipment supplied by Norway’s Jason Engineering AS.

Maritime Labor Convention 2006 compliant accommodations are provided for a crew of up to 10 persons in the two-level deckhouse, including six single occupancy officer cabins on the second deck, plus two double crew cabins in the first tier of the deckhouse. The tug is outfitted with a full galley, and a large crew mess and lounge is a key feature of the accommodations.

The tug has been designed and built to China Classification Society (CCS) rules with the following notation:

★CSA Tug, Dual Fuel, Coastal Service, Fire Fighting Ship 1, ★CSM, ★BRC

Other particulars of the Yong Gang Xiao Tuo 60 are:

  • Length, overall (including fenders): 38.00 m
  • Beam, molded: 13.50 m
  • Depth, least molded: 5.80 m
  • Maximum draft (navigational): 5.53 m
  • Gross Tonnage: 750

Main tank capacities at 100% are:

  • LNG: 55.0 cu.m
  • Fuel oil: 83.3 cu.m
  • Potable water: 40.0 cu.m Ballast: 60.1 cu.m
  • Fire-fighting foam: 21.5 cu.m
Tug the tenth vessel customized by Robert Allan Ltd. in collaboration with Ningbo Port Company
Categories: Coastal, News Tags: ,