KOTUG Christens Latest Fleet Members

The new build “ZP Bulldog” and her sister tug “ZP Boxer” are the latest fleet members of KOTUG in the Port of Hamburg and were christened by family of the two General Managers of Schleppreederei KOTUG GmbH.

Mrs. Petra Peukert, wife of General Manager Andreas Peukert, christened tug boat “ZP Bulldog” end of March and “ZP Boxer” was christened by Ms. Astrid Magnussen, daughter of General Manager Uwe Magnussen, last weekend.

Shareholders and the board chose both sponsor ladies to express their appreciation and gratitude for the commitment and achievements of the General Managers, who demonstrated genuine dedication over the last years, accomplishing constant expansion of the company in German ports.

Both ceremonies were held at the tug boat station in the Port of Hamburg with shareholders, members of the board and employees and their family in attendance.

The new buildings belong to the “Azimuth Tractor Drive 24/ 12 Twin Fin” series of Damen Shipyards and prove with just 24 meter l.o.a. and 12 meter breadth their distinctive compact design. With two fore propulsion units and two “Twin Fins” equipped, both tug boats demonstrate highest course stability. The tugs are equipped with two main engines, generating 5,600 horse power and a considerable bollard pull of 70 tonnes.

Both units were built by Damen Shipyards in Vietnam and were shipped on heavy lift carriers to Rotterdam, where the final outfit in accordance with KOTUG’s requirements were installed and the KOTUG colours applied. Thereafter, they sailed to the Port of Hamburg to commence their operation. Since that time, they are performing to the utmost satisfaction of ship’s commands and pilots, who particularly value them for their optimised manoeuvrability and strong power. “ZP Boxer” and “ZP Bulldog” constitute a part of KOTUG’s comprehensive fleet renewal and expansion plan preparing the company for the future by providing the new generation of ultra large container vessels assistance with an unchanged number of tugs, which is a key demand by ship owners.

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Source: Holland Shipbuilding Association, April 15, 2013