China delivers Pakistan tugs

The new Gwadar Port in Pakistan is being completed by Chinese engineers ahead of schedule with the first phase of the port to be opened in the first quarter of 2005. China has been helping Pakistan in the port?s construction, and part of the project involved the supply of a pair of 2,600 HP azimuthing drive docking tugs for the new port. The keels for these boats were laid at China?s PengLai BoHai Shipbuilding Company on January 8 this year. The 31.5 by 9.6 metre vessels were completed and delivered on October 20th. Named ?Jandar? and ?Tawana?, the two vessels have a 9.6 metre moulded beam and a designed draft of 3.5 metres. Their twin Cummins KTA38-M2 main engines, each producing 1300 HP at 1800 RPM, will deliver a 30 tonne bollard pull and a free running speed of 12.5 knots.

The tugs, with a 317 gross tonnage and a net tonnage of 95 tonnes, are equipped with firefighting capabilities, have accommodations for up to 12 crew members and carry enough fuel and water to give them a 14 day endurance.