Spanish shipbuilder and repair company Astilleros Armon SA recently delivered tug Cerro Itamut, the first out of 14 vessels that were ordered by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
The $158.3 million contract, awarded to the company offering the best value proposal, involve d the construction, testing and staggered delivery of 14 tractor-type tugs of 70 tons. The tender was opened to wider competition with the participation of 20 companies from countries in South America, Europe and Asia.
Cerro Itamut, constructed in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping. is a twin-unit azimuthing tractor tug of 28.90m in length overall, with a design breadth of 13.50m, depth to main deck of 5.17m, and a maximum draft of 6.18m.
The tug will assist larger vessels transiting the Canal current and expand transit operations, anchoring and other maneuvers in the waterway. The Panama Canal currently has a fleet of 36 tugs to assist more than 14,000 transits every year.
[mappress] Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 23, 2013