Chinese yard launches RAL-designed dual-fuel tug

(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard recently launched a dual-fuel RAstar 3800-DF tug at its yard in Zhenjiang, China. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL), this tug is being built for Ningbo Zhoushan Port Company Ltd., also in China. Once complete, this vessel will be the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) tug in their fleet, and also be the 10th custom-designed vessel designed by Robert Allan Ltd. for Ningbo Port.

This latest design has the following principal particulars:
• Length overall: 125 feet
• Beam, molded: 44 feet
• Depth, molded (hull): 19 feet
• Maximum draft: 18 feet

The new RAstar 3800-DF tug will be powered by a pair of Niigata 8L28AHX-DF dual-fuel engines, each driving a Rolls-Royce US 255 CP z-drive, and delivering a bollard pull of approximately 80 tonnes. The tug will have an LNG capacity of 55 cubic meters, suitable for a range of over 700 nautical miles in LNG mode, and nearly 1700 nautical miles in diesel mode.

For more information about Robert Allan Ltd., email design@ral.ca.

By Professional Mariner Staff