- Experts explained how tugs are critical to manoeuvring ULCS and Capesize ships into ports during Riviera’s webinar.
- Ports are becoming more congested and are receiving larger ships, especially ultra-large container ships (ULCS), which is putting stress on towage services.
A recent news article published in the Riviera states that tugboats prepared to handle larger tonnage in congested ports.
Handling of larger tonnage in congested ports
In some ports, tugboats handle container ships of up to 24,000 TEU, which require more powerful tugs.
This is challenging tug operators, masters and marine pilots, said the expert panel at Riviera Maritime Media’s Tugboats and the handling of larger tonnage in congested ports webinar.
This event was held 15 March 2022 during Riviera’s International Tug & Salvage Webinar Week with premier partner Uzmar.
On the panel were Novatug managing director Julian Oggel, Kotug International manager for training and consultancy Daan Merkelbach and Harwich Haven Authority senior pilot Captain Mike Robarts.
Challenges faced by escort towage
They discussed how escort towage and ship handling are challenged by these huge ULCS and Capesize bulk carriers, and how communications between pilots and tug masters are crucial for safety.
Mr Merkelbach explained how tugs are required to escort and assist Capesize bulk carriers into quaysides in Port Hedland, Australia, one of the world’s largest ports in terms of cargo throughput.
He said the port has a small geographic area and is full of loading jetties.
“Bulk carriers are close to each other at quaysides and in the sheltered channel. Seven to nine ships could be moving in the channel at any one time.”
Due to their size, these bulk carriers come into the port at high speed, which needs to be slowed by tugs before they are manoeuvred through the channel to their terminal dock.
“A ship grounding would be an economic and environmental disaster for whole region,” he said.
Kotug to operate Rotortugs in Port Hedland
Kotug operates Rotortugs in Port Hedland to handle these Capesize ships.
“These ships have big inertia, so they have difficulty changing motion speed and direction,” said Mr Merkelbach.
“They have high kinetic energy, which makes it difficult to slow and turn in the channel, or stop if there is any danger.”
At the end of channel, these ships need to be stopped and turned.
Tugboats “need high escort and manoeuvring performance and be able to transition from high to low speeds” in port. Towing lines and winches need to manage the high loads.
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Source: Riviera
