Robert Allan Ltd.’s ART 85-32W Class Rotortug® Design Selected by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. for their Port Hedland Towage Operation

May 31, 2017

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd’s subsidiary Pilbara Marine Pty Ltd has selected Robert Allan Ltd.’s ART 85-32W Class Rotortug® design as the primary vessel to make up the future fleet of tugs for their recently granted towage licence in Port Hedland. The design work has just been completed according to Pilbara Marine’s requirements and reflecting the selected propulsion and deck equipment. Construction will commence shortly by Damen Shipyards at their Song Cam shipyard in Vietnam.

The ART 85-32W design builds on the success of the ART 80-32 having a similar layout of working decks, accommodations, and wheelhouse but has a modified hull form to cope with the higher Bollard Pull, including 1.2 metres additional beam and increased flare to provide increased stability during escorting and enhanced manoeuvrability.

The new tugs will be 31.5 metres long x 13.80 metres beam, delivering a Bollard Pull of 85 tonnes. The hull form has been developed based on Robert Allan Ltd.’s experience with high performance escort tugs including a sponsoned hull form adapted to suit the Rotortug® concept, providing enhanced stability, sea-keeping and escort performance.

The vessels will be LR Classed as escort towing vessels.

For more information on the ART 85-32W Class tugs, or any other high-performance vessel designs developed by Robert Allan Ltd., please contact: design@ral.ca.