Suderman and Young Towing Company, L.P. (S&Y) announced the completion of the sea-trials for its newest tug Thor. The tug features Z-Tech drive, and is touted as the first of its kind in the western hemisphere, with only four other Z-Tech vessels operating in the world. The Z-Tech design incorporates the best of the design features from standard tug Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) and Z-drive configurations. With its 360 degree turning wheel the design improves maneuverability while the Thor Z-Tech’s much larger skeg boosts towing capability and directional stability. This new operational design will enable the tug to handle tomorrow’s larger container vessels more efficiently.
