Two new Kotug Rotortugs for BHP

The RT Imperieuse and RT Clerke will both be used as long-term charters by mining company BHP to support its bulk carrier loadings at Port Hedland in Western Australia. This latest delivery brings the number of Rotortugs deployed by BHP to eight.

“We are very pleased that BHP, our partner for more than 12 years, once again put their trust in Kotu’gs ART 80-32 in a long-term contract,” said Ard-Jan Kooren, president and chief executive of Kotug International.

“The vessel is a perfect fit for assisting the world’s largest, heavily loaded vessels in the Pilbara region,” he added.

Both 32 metre ART 80-32 tugs, built at Cheoy Lee Shipyard, have three Caterpillar main engines delivering a total output of 5,295kW each, 13 knots sailing speed, and 80 tonnes bollard pull power. Both are equipped with advanced DMT Escort Winches.

The Rotortugs are named after Clerke Reef and Imperieuse Reef, two of the three stunning reefs that form coral atolls in the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, 300 kilometres west of Broome.