Haifa Port Orders another Powerful Tug

Newbuilding Haifa follows in footsteps of twin MAN 8L27/38-powered sister

Zamakona Yards, one of Spain's main shipbuilding and ship-repair groups, has signed a contract with Haifa Port Authority for the construction of Haifa, a Voith Schneider tug boat, to aid in port operations. The newbuilding will be powered by two MAN 8L27/38 engines with delivery set for August 2015.

Haifa will be a sister to the Ilan I, which began towing and general harbor operations at Haifa Port in 2012. With a length of 31.5 m and a 12.5-m beam, the new vessel’s Voith Design hull will have a bollard pull of 70 t. It will be equipped with a minimum of two monitors, each able to discharge 1,500 m3/h at a pressure of 14 bar, and will be classified by Lloyd’s Register with FiFi 1 notation.

The new tug will be equipped with 2 Voith 32R5 propulsion units coupled to the two MAN 8L27/38 main engines, each developing 2,670 kW. This particular set-up will maximize harbor maneuverability and minimize emissions as well as noise and vibration levels. Voith Schneider propellers are specialized, highly maneuverable marine-propulsion systems that can change the direction of thrust almost instantaneously. They are widely used on tugs and ferries.

Haifa – Main Particulars
Length o.a. (m): 31.5
Beam (m): 12.5
Depth to main deck (m): 4.85
Main engines: 2 × MAN 8L27/38
Main engine output (kW): 2 × 2,670 at 800 rpm
Maximum speed (knots): 13
Bollard pull (t): 70
Fire fighting: FiFi 1 standard
Crew: 10
Classification: Lloyd’s Register