Sanmar delivers ASD tug for operation in Ventspils
The ASD tug Altair has been delivered to Latvian owner PKL Flote (Source: Sanmar)
Despite Covid-19 challenges, Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyards has successfully delivered on time an azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug to Latvian tug company, PKL Flote, part of the Alfons Hakans group.
The 50-tonne bollard pull vessel, Altair, is a Ramparts 2200 ASD unit of Robert Allan design and will operate in the Latvian port of Ventspils on the east coast of the Baltic Sea.
With annual throughput of 20m tonnes, the ice-free port can accommodate some of the largest vessels entering the Baltic all year round. Nevertheless, the Altair has been modified to incorporate an ice-strengthened hull.
PKL Flote operates a fleet of six ASD tugs in the ports of Ventspils and Riga. In addition to conventional tug operations, the company’s vessels are also used for icebreaking, fire-fighting and emergency services.
Latvia’s Alfons Hakans group owns and operates a fleet of more than 50 vessels including tugs, barges and workboats.
