First LNG tug for Asia
The order came from Chinese state oil company CNOCC and is for two tugs to be built at the Zhenjiang shipyard in Jiangsu, China, with an option for an additional two.
Neil Gilliver, president, merchant, Rolls-Royce, said: “This order is highly significant for Rolls-Royce, CNOOC, and Zhenjiang shipyard and marks a new era for tug boat propulsion technology in China, an increasingly important market for the marine industry.”
Each tug will feature a pair of Rolls-Royce Bergen C26:33L9PG engines fuelled solely by LNG. The Rolls-Royce power and propulsion systems package for both vessels includes a pair of Rolls-Royce US 205 CP azimuth thrusters to ensure the tugs have rapid manoeuvring and strong bollard pull capabilities – essential for tug operation.
“Rolls-Royce is proud to be selected to power Asia’s first pure gas powered tug and to play a pivotal role in the state’s focus on reducing emissions along the coasts and inland waterways. I am convinced that with the growing popularity of LNG as a marine fuel, more operators will soon begin to opt for a cleaner, lower cost and smoke-free fuel solution to power their tugs. This order will be one of many more to come,” added Mr Gilliver.
This order follows the successful delivery of the world’s first gas-powered tug, Borgøy, also powered by Rolls-Royce.
The first tug is scheduled for delivery by the end of this year.
