VESSEL REVIEW | Mailiao 1505 – Multi-role tug pair for Formosa Plastics Corporation

Singapore's PaxOcean Engineering has delivered two ship assist tugs in a series to Mailiao Harbour Administration Corporation (MHAC), a subsidiary of Formosa Plastics Corporation of Taiwan.

Mailiao 1505 and Mailiao 1506 will replace some of the aging tugs in the current MHAC fleet. Operating in Mailiao Port, Taiwan, the tugs will assist in berthing and un-berthing operations, provide protection/security services in the designated area, and support external firefighting operations. Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd said these are the first vessels that it designed for operation in Taiwan.

The vessels were built concurrently at Graha Trisaka Industri, PaxOcean's shipyard in Batam, Indonesia. Each has an LOA of 31.8 metres, a moulded beam of 11.48 metres, a moulded depth of 4.65 metres, a maximum draught of 5.2 metres, and a gross tonnage of 542. Design work on the tug's was done in compliance with Taiwan's CR Classification Society.

The tugs each feature a flush main deck with crew accommodations below deck and additional cabins for the master and the chief engineer on the deckhouse level. Twin Voith VSP 28R5/210-2 units are installed at the bow in tractor configuration and driven by medium-speed, resiliently mounted Niigata 6L28HX engines each rated 1,897 kW at 750 rpm. This configuration delivers a bollard pull in excess of 50 tonnes and a free running speed of greater than 12 knots.

The wheelhouse is configured for stern first operations with the main control console located at the aft end of the house to offer better visibility for the operator over the stern and to view essential equipment on the aft main deck.  For this reason, the stern also features a heavy duty fendering system comprised of a double row of cylindrical fenders and tires. Firefighting monitors are arranged on the aft bridge deck.

To fulfil the owner's requirements for the manoeuvrability of the tugs, RAL completed numerous CFD simulations of the tugs' directional stability characteristics during the design phase.

The accommodations have been outfitted to a high standard for a crew of six. The deckhouse contains an engine watch room, the galley, a lounge/mess, the two officer cabins, and a wet room area. The lower deck contains two double berth cabins and two stores spaces. The wheelhouse is designed with a Voith style control console that can be operated in both the ahead and astern positions.

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