RAmparts Tugs Delivered in China

The first of a new series of the RAmparts 3500 Class ASD tug design was delivered to its Owners Tianjin Port, a port in the northern part of China. The vessel was constructed at Shanghai Harbor Fuxing Shipping Service Company, and was named Jin Gang Lun 26.A sister vessel is under construction at the same shipyard.

The hull of the new 35 meter design has been developed from the very successful 32 meter Ramparts design series, of which more than 100 tugs have been built in the past decade. However the design was extensively customized, including the fendering system, accommodation layout, wheelhouse arrangement, etc., to suit the particular operational requirements of ports in China.

The Jin Gang Lun 26wasbuilt and classed according to Chinese Classification Society (CCS) requirements, with the following notation:

CCS, Tug, Coastal Service

The tug was also designed and built to CCS Ice Class B, and Fire Fighting 1 Vessel, although it is not formally classed to these notations.

Particulars of the RAmparts 3500 class tugs are as follows:
Length O.A.: 35 meters
Beam, molded, extreme: 12.4 meters
Depth, molded (hull): 5.4 meters
Maximum Draft: 4.22meters

Primary tank capacities are:
Fuel Oil: 171 m³
Fresh Water: 30 m³
Foam: 20 m³

The vessel has been outfitted with full accommodation for a crew of up to 14 persons. The Master’s cabin is located on the main deck, while the Chief Engineer and three additional 4 crew cabins are located on the lower accommodation deck. A spacious mess/conference room is also on the main deck.

The deck machinery comprises two ship assist/hawser winches forward, and a radial arm tow hook on the aft deck. In addition, a capstan is installed on the aft deck to facilitate line handling operations.

The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all-round visibility with a U-shaped control station selected by the Client to provide maximum visibility to both fore and aft deck working areas.

Main propulsion for each tug consists of a pair of Daihatsu 8DKM-28eF diesel engines, each rated 2390 kW at 750 rpm, and each driving a Kawasaki, KST-240ZC/B-2.8controllable pitch Z-drive unit, in ASD configuration.

The electrical plant comprises three identical diesel gen-sets, each with a power output of 100 ekW, and designed for parallel operation.

Ship-handling fenders at the bow consist of one row of 700 x 350 cylindrical fender at the main deck level, with 600x400mm M block fenders between the main deck and the knuckle. Two steel half pipe fenders with elements of 400x400 rubber “D” fender provides protection at the main and foc’sle deck sheer lines, providing a section of “outset” fenders to act as a lifting point for the tug when alongside an attended ship. A 500x250 cylindrical fender is used at the stern. In addition, heavy duty tires are provided all around the vessel.

For ship-handling service in LNG terminals, the tug is fitted with a safety system which includes gas detection alarms in the wheelhouse, sensors around the deckhouse, and explosion-proof motors for air intake fans on main deck and deckhouse.

On trials, the Jin Gang Lun 26 exceeded all contractual performance requirements with the following results:

Bollard Pull, ahead: 80 metric tons
Free running speed, ahead: 14.3 knots

The tug also demonstrated excellent performance in directional stability, maneuverability and control in all operations, to the expressed delight of the Owner’s representatives, and the Sea Trial Masters.

ral.ca