Firefighting

Keels laid for new tugs for Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Port

Baird Maritime

Grandweld Shipyards in the UAE has laid the keels for two new tugs in a series ordered by Kuwaiti owner Specialities Construction for General Trading and Contracting Company (SCC).

The Robert Allan Ltd-designed tugs will be operated by Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) out of Shuwaikh Port. Duties will include ship assist, escort, towing, firefighting, and oil pollution response.

Each tug will be powered by two Caterpillar 3512C 1,678kW engines that will deliver a bollard pull in excess of 50 tonnes.

The vessels are scheduled to enter service by August 2022.