China: Cheoy Lee Delivers Tug ‘GPC Baru’

GPC Baru is the latest addition to the RAmparts 3200CL series, delivered to its owners Sociedad Portuaria Regional De Cartagena (SPRC) on October, 2012. Two more sister tugs for the same owner will follow.

The vessel was constructed by Cheoy Lee Shipyards, Hong Kong. The vessel is a high performance Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tug, specialized for ship-assist service and coastal towing, and uniquely designed to operate in shallower waters.

GPC Barú belongs to the RAmparts Class tugs which area series of proven, standardized Z-drive tug designs. Each of these designs has been developed from a successful prototype vessel or series of vessels, and refined to emphasize ease of construction. Each of the RAmparts designs is available in a typical ship-handling configuration, with a modest size of skeg, or in an “escort” configuration with a much deeper skeg for enhanced indirect steering force capability.

The vessel has been outfitted to the high standards for a crew of up to 10 people. The deck machinery comprises Forward hawser/anchor winch, Aft towing winch, towing hook, deck crane, mooring bitts at forward, midship and aft deck.

The lower deck contains two 4 crew cabins; a double shower stall lavatory, a galley store and switchboard room. The wheelhouse is designed for maximum all-round visibility with forward and aft control stations providing maximum visibility to both fore and aft deck working areas.

Main propulsion for each tug comprises a pair of Caterpillar 3516B HD diesel engines, each rated 2000 kW at 1600rpm, and each driving a Schottel SRP 1515 Fixed pitch Z-drive unit, in ASD configuration.

The electrical plant comprises 2 identical diesel gen-sets, each with power output of 150 ekW.

Ship-handling fenders at the bow comprises two rows of 800 x 400 cylindrical fenders; a 480×300 mm “W” block type fendering below. Two 300 x 300 hollow “D” fender provides protection at the main and foc’sle deck sheer lines, and 500×450 mm “W” block type fendering is used at the stern.

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RAL, December 20, 2012