Kristian Brauner News

Earlier this year in Copenhagen Harbor, the 28-meter-long tug Svitzer Hermod berthed alongside the quay, undocked, turned 360 degrees and sailed back to Svitzer headquarters before docking again, all under remote operation while the captain was stationed quayside at the vessel’s remote base at Svitzer HQ. Though a captain and crew remained on board throughout to ensure safe operation in the event of a system failure, the remotely controlled maneuvers demonstrated a “world first” for a commercial vessel, according to project partners Rolls-Royce and global towage operator Svitzer.

Members of Svitzer's management team visited both of Sanmar’s shipyards to monitor the progress of existing orders and discuss further existing contracts between the towage and emergency response firm and the Turkish shipbuilder. Svitzer ‘s chief technical officer, Kristian Brauner, and head of group newbuilding, Esben H Grundvig, were advised by Sanmar Managing Director Cem Seven that it was business as usual at both yards. The Svitzer team signed a new order for two 24-meter-long, 70-metric-ton bollard pull, Robert Allan Ltd,  Ramparts 2400 SX  design  Bogacay Class ASD tugs.

Svitzer has signed a contract with Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyard for the construction of six newbuild terminal tug vessels, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in Q4 2016. The new fleet will be 70-metric-ton bollard pull RAstar 2800-E Class ASD tugs with escort capability and accommodation space for eight crew members. The tugs will be equipped with double drum DMT render winch, 2,000 KW MTU 16V4000M63 engines, Schottel SRP 1515 thrusters and central cooling system. The new vessels will also be purpose-built for hot climates and fully prepared for FiFi1 notation with water spray. “We have placed an order for six ASD tugs to fulfill Svitzer’s current and upcoming new contracts.

Three leading companies have teamed up to bring the first ever Reverse Stern Drive (RSD) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tug to the market. Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, German engine manufacturer MTU Friedrichshafen, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, and Denmark’s SVITZER have embarked on the pioneering project with the official launch of the new eco-friendly tug planned for 2016. The new RSD CNG tug combines high power with lower fuel costs and a substantial reduction in emissions. Martijn Smit, Damen Sales Manager Europe, says: “Damen is proud to be building the prototype. With the MTU 4000 engine, this vessel is excellent for ship handling, with very quick acceleration.

Three companies have teamed up to bring the first ever Reverse Stern Drive (RSD) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tug to the market. Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, German engine manufacturer MTU Friedrichshafen, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, and Denmark’s SVITZER have embarked on the project with the official launch of the new eco-friendly tug planned for 2016. The new RSD CNG tug combines high power with lower fuel costs and a substantial reduction in emissions.