The engines and steerable thrusters supplied by the technology group Wärtsilä are delivering excellent performance for two new tug boats operated by the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety. Following successful sea trials, the first vessel is already in operation, while the second will enter service in April of this year. The vessels were built in Eregli under project management by the Yutek shipyard and site team, and the orders with Wärtsilä were booked in 2017, the company said in its release.
The bollard pull rating for the tug boats has been certified by the Turkish Lloyd classification society as being an outstanding 75 TBP. Bollard pull is the conventional measure of a vessel’s pulling power. This exceptional performance is achieved through the combination of a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 engine and a Wärtsilä WST-24 steerable thruster, controlled by a Wärtsilä ProTouch propulsion remote control system. To achieve 75 TBP, an 8-cylinder engine would normally be required, and by reaching this level of pulling power with fewer cylinders has a positive impact on both Capex and Opex costs.
“The combination of improved performance with compact equipment is already proving to be a great success for these 32 metre long tug boats. Wärtsilä is committed through its Smart Marine approach to enabling the highest possible efficiency for owners and operators, and this is one more prime example,” says Murat Ergen, General Manager, Sales, Wärtsilä Marine.
“Wärtsilä was selected based on its strong track record and global reputation. The tugs have excellent pulling power, thanks to the engines and thrusters selected,” says Yucel Tekin, Owner of Yutek.
The tugs will operate in Turkish waters on the Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul.
The Wärtsilä Steerable Thruster (WST) has been developed in parallel with the latest operating demands for tugs, river-going vessels, and various offshore support vessels. The aim, as with all Wärtsilä products and solutions, is to ensure optimal efficiency, high hydrodynamic performance, less maintenance and better accessibility for serviceability. With eight thruster types, ranging from 700 to 3200 kW, the WST enables these vessels to meet and exceed the performance levels required for today’s competitive operating environment.