RAstar 3900 ship-handling tug for Ningbo Port
July 28, 2014
A new Ship-Handling tug, named Yong Gang Tuo 31 was delivered to its owner Ningbo Port Company Limited in early July 2014. The vessel was constructed at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. and operates in Ningbo Port.
This new tug is the most powerful in its fleet and joins the 8 previously delivered Robert Allan Ltd. tugs. These tugs greatly strengthen the Port’s operation especially in severe weather during winter. It was not a surprise when the Port selected Robert Allan Ltd. as its naval architect again when they decided to invest in a new powerful tug to suit the demand created by its rapidly increasing terminal facilities. Robert Allan Ltd. recommended the very unique RAstar hull form which has superior sea keeping and escort performance compared with conventional ASD Tugs.
Particulars of Yong Gang Tuo 31 are as follows:
| Length overall: Beam, moulded, extreme: Depth, moulded (hull): Maximum draft: |
– 39.10 m – 14.70 m – 6.11 m – 6.30 m |
The tug was designed and constructed to CCS requirements with the following notation:
Notation: CCS, Tug
Tank capacities are as follows:
| Fuel Oil: Potable Water: FW Ballast Water Tank: SW Ballast Water Tank: |
– 120 m³ – 39 m³ – 175 m³ – 99 m³ |
On trials, Yong Gang Tuo 31 met or exceeded all performance expectations, with the following results:
| Bollard Pull, ahead: Bollard Pull, astern: Free running speed, ahead: |
– 90.2 tonnes – 83.1 tonnes – 13.3 knots |
The vessel has provided spacious accommodation spaces for a normal operating crew of 14. Master’s and Chief Engineer’s cabins are located on the main deck, with two additional 6-crew cabins located on the lower accommodation deck. Crew mess and lounge area is arranged on main deck, next to galley. A common wash room with two shower units is also arranged on main deck.
The deck machinery comprises a Karmoy ship assist hawser winch with two drums on the bow, and a towing winch on the aft deck. A tow hook is also provided on aft deck for ocean towing purpose.
The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all-round visibility with split type of control station providing easy one crew control and maximum visibility to both fore and aft deck working areas. A chart table is provided at aft corner of wheelhouse.
Main propulsion for each tug comprises a pair of Daihatsu 8DKM-28e diesel engines, each rated 2646kW at 750 rpm, and each driving a Kawasaki KST-240ZF/B fixed pitch Z-drive unit, in ASD configuration.
The electrical plant comprises two (2) identical diesel gen-sets, each with a power output of 164 ekW.
Ship-handling fenders at the bow consist of one row of 950 x 450 cylindrical fender at the forecastle deck lever, with 450 mm W fenders between the forecastle deck and the knuckle. two 400 x 200 cylindrical fenders provide protection at the main and foc’sle deck sheer lines, and 450 mm “W” block type fendering is used at the stern.
For more information on the RAstar 3900, any of the RAstar series tugs, or on any other vessel designs developed by Robert Allan Ltd., please contact us at design@ral.ca.
