MARCH 27, 2013 — Rotterdam headquartered Kotug is to add four new ART 80-32 class Rotor Tugs to its fleet. They are the first vessels designed for KST B.V. under a recent agreement naming Robert Allan Ltd. as the exclusive designer of Rotor Tugs.

Two of the tugs will be built by Damen Shipyards in Europe and two by Cheoy Lee in Hong Kong. They will be equipped with Aspin Kemp & Associates’ (AKA) XeroPoint Hybrid Propulsion System, similar as the first E-KOTUG, RT Adriaan.
 
These new tugs will incorporate the patented triple Z-Drive Rotor Tug concept, featuring enhanced omni-directional maneuverability, and the benefits of a fully redundant and precise propulsion machinery configuration.

The new tugs are 32 m long x 12.6 m beam, with an installed power of 3 x 1,765 kW, delivering an expected Bollard Pull of 80 tonnes. The hull form has been developed from Robert Allan Ltd.’s RAstar series of high performance escort tugs. The unique sponsoned shape has been adapted to suit the Rototug concept, and provides enhanced stability, sea-keeping and escort performance far superior to any wall-sided alternative.
 
All four vessels will be delivered in 2014. Kotug will charter them from Elisabeth Ltd.