MAN Diesel L27/38 Engine for Tugs

MAN Diesel Spain has been active within the tug segment recently, having played a key role in three orders that contract the company to supply 18 MAN Diesel L27/38 engines to Boluda Corporación Marítima, Spain, the international marine group and shipbuilder. The engines are destined for nine newbuilding tugs; ten engines were already delivered in 2009 with the remainder due in 2010/2011.

The three orders encompass two engines for the V.B. Bravo, owned by Boluda Corporación Marítima through its subsidiary AUXMASA; twelve engines for six tug boats owned outright by Boluda Corporación Marítima; and four engines for two tug boats owned by the Shetland Island Council. As originally stipulated, all nine tugs will be constructed at Boluda Shipyards - Unión Naval Valencia in the Port of Valencia, one of the biggest private shipyards in Spain and part of Boluda Corporación Marítima.

Boluda Corporación Marítima’s core activity is tug operation. It’s Towage and Salvage Division has a fleet of over 200 tugs. Typical tug-boat operations include ship towage, marine safety, assistance in high-seas and fire fighting.

Of the seven tugs bound for the Boluda Towage and Salvage fleet, the first, the VB Bravo, has already entered service. Two others – the VB Titán and the VB Trón – were launched at Boluda-UNV shipyard in October 2009 and will shortly enter service. Delivery of the remaining six vessels is scheduled for 2010 and 2011 as follows:
Hull Nº    Type     Owner     Delivery Date
C-473     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     March 2010
C-474     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     April 2010
C-480     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     January 2011
C-481     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     February 2011
C-482     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     April 2011
C-483     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 870 VS     Boluda Corporación Marítima     May 2011

The VB Bravo will assist and escort ships, and conduct oil-spill recovery, pollution-control and fire-fighting operations in Spanish waters while the VB Titán and VB Trón will form part of the Boluda Towage and Salvage fleet. These tugs are designed for unrestricted navigation and provide towing services as well as executing fire fighting, ship-assistance and escort, cleaning-up of oil spills and pollution-control activities.

Principal Data, V.B. Bravo:
Bollard pull (tonnes)    100
Length    116.5 ft
Beam    42.6 ft
Moulded depth    21.6 ft
Draught    18.3 ft
Speed (knots)    15.0
Accommodation (crew)    11
Propulsion    2 × 9L27/38
Rating (kW)    2 x 3,060
Rpm    800
Drive type    Azimuth stern

Principal Data, VB Titán/Trón:
Bollard pull (tonnes)    100
Length    105 ft
Beam    46 ft
Moulded depth    18.3 ft
Draught    47.2
Speed (knots)    11.8
Accommodation (crew)    6
Propulsion    2 × 8L27/38
Rating (kW)    2 x 2,720
Rpm    800
Drive type    Cycloidal

Principle Data, Solan/Bonxie:
Bollard pull (tonnes)    70
Length (m)    37.00
Beam (m)    14.00
Moulded depth (m)    5.50
Draught    5.50
Speed (knots)    14.0
Accommodation (crew)    6
Propulsion    2 × 9L27/38
Rating (kW)    *2 x 3,285
Rpm    800
Drive type    Cycloidal
*In this instance, the engines are uprated so the power rating is increased. This is only applicable with MGO/MDO

Shetland
Two tugs, featuring four MAN 9L27/38 engines (3,285 kW at 800 rpm), are bound for two twin vessels – the Solan and Bonxie, which will be based at the Shetland Islands (UK) Sullom Voe oil terminal in the northern North Sea. The Solan was launched on 17 December 2009 and the Bonxie on 18 February 2010. The tugs will be operated by the Shetland Islands Council and their design makes them well-equipped for towage, and the general assistance and escorting of tankers and other ships.

Hull Nº     Type     Shipowner     Delivery Date
C-471     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 970 VS     Shetland Island Council (UK)     April 2010
C-472     Voith Tractor TUG 70t UNV 970 VS     Shetland Island Council (UK)     May 2010

MAN Diesel has just finalized another contract with Boluda Shipyards - Unión Naval Valencia for the delivery of two 8L27/38 engines to a tug boat ordered by the Port Authority of Haifa, Israel.

The type L27/38 engine:
MAN Diesel’s L27/38 medium-speed engine in its eight- and nine-cylinder variants has been chosen as main engine for all nine tug boats on account of its high-torque performance characteristics, robust and compact design, characterized by a single, front-end box that collectively houses LT/HT cooling-water pumps, thermostatic valves, and lube oil pump, cooler and automatic filter.

Furthermore, the L27/38 requires only a low overhauling height that facilitates the on-site exchange of cylinder units (including cylinder heads, liners, pistons, connecting rods and fuel-injection valves). This characteristic enables a spare cylinder unit to be swapped in aboard, dispensing with the need to break voyages to return to the workshop.