Keel-laying for Fairmount?s super tugs

A keel-laying ceremony took place at Niigata Shipbuilders, Japan, on August 20 for Fairmount Sherpa and Fairmount Summit, two large tugs ordered by Rotterdam-based towage and heavy transportation specialists Fairmount Marine.

The two anchorhandling/salvage/long distance towing vessels ordered by Fairmount are the most powerful tugs built under the Dutch flag.

Fairmount president, Hank van den Berg, says: “We look forward to Fairmount Sherpa joining the fleet next May, followed in October 2005 by the second newbuilding, Fairmount Summit. These state-of-the-art, 200 tonnes bollard pull tugs are designed specifically to meet the needs of the offshore industry. They represent a new standard for high value tows of FPSOs, FSOs and MODUs. Fairmount has a strong track record in this market, including last year?s tow of Shell?s $770 million Bonga FPSO, from the UK to Nigeria. We now intend to move forward and position Fairmount as the offshore industry?s preferred towage contractor for high value projects. The key requirements here are power, extreme long range, fuel economy and reliability, backed by a shore infrastructure capable of the extensive pre-voyage planning and engineering required for high value towage assignments.”

The newbuildings are twin screw vessels with a length of 75 metres. Main engines consist of four Wartsila marine diesels, each rated at 3,000 kW at 750 rpm. The big tugs will be fully equipped for multi-role operation, including towing, anchorhandling, firefighting and a wide variety of other marine operations.