4,000 hp Z-Drive Tug Delivered to Crescent Towing
Bollinger Shipyards delivered Savannah, a 4,000-hp, Z-Drive tug, to Crescent Towing of New Orleans. Savannah - which measures 96 x 34 x 14.75 ft. - is Crescent Towing's 24th tug overall, and is the second Z-drive tug. Savannah is powered by two Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines developing a total of 4,000 hp, driving two Ulstein 1650H Z-Drives connected to NiBrAl propellers in nozzles. Each Z-Drive unit can be operated independently through 360 degrees. Ed Bazemore, Crescent Towing vice-president and port manager in Savannah, Ga., said "This vessel and its technology are needed here. Upon her arrival she will be used to work LNG and container ships.
The Efficient Tugboat: The Efficient Tug
In many ports across the country, competition among tugboat operators is intense. The combined Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach is one such competitive environment for tug operators. Three companies vie for business that includes about 6,000 ship arrivals a year. Many of the companies utilize new tractor tugs to guide these ship movements. Foss Maritime, Crowley Marine and Millennium Maritime operate over a dozen modern tugs. Any slight edge in efficiency gives one company a competitive edge. For example, Foss Maritime recently placed the Halter Marine-built Marshall Foss into service. The 6,200 hp tug measures 98 x 40 x 16 ft. "This vessel was purpose built as a harbor tug," said Barry Baldwin, business director for Foss Maritime. Baldwin is located in Long Beach.
Bollinger Delivers Z-Drive Tug Savannah
Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has delivered the 4,000 HP, Z-Drive tug Savannah, to Crescent Towing, New Orleans. It is the second Z-Drive tug in the Crescent Towing fleet, which now totals 24 tugs. Savannah is 96 ft. long, with a 34-ft. beam and a 14.75-ft. depth. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines developing a total of 4,000 HP. They drive two Ulstein 1650H Z-Drives connected to nibral propellers in nozzles. Each Z-Drive unit can be operated independently through 360 degrees giving the tug exceptional maneuverability. “She is Crescent’s first tractor (tug) in Savannah,” said Ed Bazemore, Crescent Towing vice-president and port manager in the Georgia city. “This vessel and its technology are needed here.
