Harley Marine Names Its New Z-Drive Tractor Tug, USA

Harley Marine Services Inc. christened its new Z – drive tractor tug, the M/V ROBERT FRANCO on Monday. The new 6,850-horsepower tug, built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, will enter the ship assist and tanker escort market for both Millennium Maritime and Harley Marine Services in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors.

The M/V ROBERT FRANCO, named after the son of Harley CEO Harley Franco, was built with the most technically and environmentally advanced equipment available. The tug features Tier III engines, meeting EPA’s low emission standards in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Compared to Tier O engines, Tier III engines reduce the NO X and particulate matter amounts by 90%.

Equipped with 6,800 horsepower and providing 91 tons of bollard pull, the M/V ROBERT FRANCO is the most powerful tug to ever provide ship assist in Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. With the growing size of container ships (14,000 TEU) and tankers over 300,000 DWT’s calling on these ports, Harley Marine Services is committed to building higher horsepower tugs in order to accommodate them. Tugs like the M/V ROBERT FRANCO will provide these larger ships with safe navigation in the LA/LB harbors, as well as emergency towing services.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 14, 2013