Brian Chang

Klyne Tugs (Lowestoft) Ltd. signed a contract with Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China to build a powerful anchor handling tug/supply vessel (AHTS). The 221 x 51 x 20.3 ft, (67.4 x 15.5 x 6.2 m) vessel will be built to a Rolls Royce Ulstein UT 719-2 design, Lloyds Class + 100+LMC, UMS, FiFi 1, and is expected to achieve a bollard pull of 180 tons and a free running speed of 17 knots.

The ship will incorporate features and equipment identified from many years of operational experience in offshore work, salvage and environmental protection.

On confirming the order Chairman of the Klyne Group, Roger Klyne, said: "We are delighted to move forward with this new construction. We have learned a great deal from our experience with Anglian Monarch, which entered service in early 1999, and we remained convinced that new tugs are necessary to enable the company to move forward.

By doing so we can improve the service to our clients and maintain the level of versatility and reliability the salvage and offshore industries have come toexpect." Managing Director Carl Beare added "We owe our thanks to Peter Worden of Offshore Shipbrokers Limited from whom we have received considerable support and advice during the protracted discussions leading up to the signing of this contract." The Yantai Raffles Shipyard is located on Zhifu Island, Yantai, in the Shandong Province of China. Yantai Raffles is part of the Brian Chang Group of Companies, and within the space of one year has received orders for a number of vessels in the offshore market, including anchor handlers, supply vessels, tugs, production systems, a 3,800 ton heavy derrick pipelay barge.

Brian Chang, Chairman of Yantai Shipyard, said "We are extremely pleased that Klyne Tugs has entrusted us with this very prestigious project. Our modern shipyard is fully committed in the industry and staffed with 250 engineers, 45 naval architects and 1,000 skilled workers and look forward to a long relationship with Klyne Tugs." Rolls Royce Ulstein will produce the design package, much of the equipment to be installed in the new ship and oversee construction. Two main engines will each produce 6,000 kW to drive a pair of Ulstein CP propellers, rotating within fixed nozzles. High lift flap rudders will be capable of independent operation and full integration with two 800-hp bow thrusters and one 900-hp stem thruster.

Deck machinery will include an Ulstein triple drum towing/anchor handling winch, with one towing drum and two anchor handling drums, with a maximum pull of 300 tons and brake holding power of 450 tons.

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