Seattle-based Saltchuk Marine recently awarded Schottel an order to supply azimuthing thrusters for four new escort tugs. The new vessels mark the beginning of the renewal of the Saltchuk fleet for operations on the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and Alaska.
The Robert Allan-designed RApport 2600 tugs will be built by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla., at the shipyard's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities. The 84’x42’x18’ tugs will be operated by Foss Maritime, with accommodations for eight crew.
Each vessel will be equipped with twin azimuthing Schottel SRP 510 RudderPropellers. The Z-drives will have a propeller diameter of 9.2’, connected to twin Caterpillar 3516E engines producing a total input power of 3500-hp. The thrusters will enable the tugs to operate with a bollard pull of more than 85 tons, with a service speed of 12 knots.
The thrusters will be equipped with a DNV-certified seal monitoring system, Schottel LeaCon, intended to prevent “lubrication oil from being spilled into the water and water from entering the gearbox, effectively making the propeller shaft sealing no longer an oil-to-water interface in regard to EPA regulations,” a Schottel statement said. Additionally, the scope of supply is completed by Schottel’s condition monitoring system MariHub to enable condition-based maintenance via both an onboard display and also remote analysis.
The tugs are expected to support West Coast port operations and comply with EPA Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board environmental requirements. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026.
