Irving Shipbuilding To Construct Tugs For Panama Canal Authority

Irving Shipbuilding has secured an order for two azimuthing stern drive Tugs for the Panama Canal Authority. The 101 ft. (30.8 m) reverse tractor tugs are driven by two Z-drive azimuthing thrusters - these units are driven by twin engines, each producing 2,200-bhp, giving the vessels a 50-ton bollard pull rating. Ship handling operations are performed over the bow, utilizing a powered line handling winch, and a resilient fendering system. The vessel, which will be able to accommodate four, is to be classified will be Lloyds. The tugs are similar to the very successful line of tugs that East Isle has been building over the last four years. The program calls for two tugs to be built by the fall of 2001.