Sanmar sign contract to build exclusively designed tugs for Orkney Islands

The design-and-build contract is worth about 6.1 million pounds (US$7.7 million) per vessel. The 34.6m-long tugs have been ordered for Orkney Islands Council’s Marine Services. Delivery of the first tug is due around May 2020, with the second three months later. The new tugs will each have up to 80 tonnes of bollard pull and will be powered through two Rolls Royce Azimuth stern drives with controllable-pitch propellers. They will have some specific features for Orkney’s conditions and operations, but the overall design is already in operation worldwide. Meanwhile, Orkney Marine Services has also ordered a new pilot vessel from Spain. This is under construction and should arrive in August this year.