Damen Shipyards have received an order to build six rotor tugs for the world’s largest bulk export port.
Pilbara Marine, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortescue Metals Group, will use the 32-metre ART 85-32W rotor tugs for operations at Port Hedland on Australia’s west coast.
Fortescue Metals Group exports 165-170 million tonnes of iron ore per year and the new tugs will allow Pilbara Marine to provide long-term towage services, with additional stability factored in for escorting operations, which are conducted regularly at Port Hedland.
The tugs feature a 'Rotor Tug' propulsion system with three azimuth thrusters to deliver the full 85 tonnes of bollard pull over both the bow and the stern and 65% from amidships, which delivers additional benefits regarding maneuverability, braking, and engine and winch redundancy.
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The six Rotor Tugs will be built at Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. The first two are scheduled for delivery ex-yard by the end of October 2018, with the remaining four due in early 2019.
Rebecca Hayward, Legal Manager Strategic Contracts and Developments, Fortescue Metals Group, said: “We are confident that our full operational requirements will be met by the new ART 85-32W design and are heartened by the fact that Damen will provide long term support here in Western Australia.”
