Inland Tug Operations

Dutch builder completes diesel-electric tug trio for Chemgas Shipping

Baird Maritime

Barkmeijer Shipyards, a company under Netherlands-based Thecla Bodewes Shipyards, has delivered the final one of three shallow-draught pusher tugs ordered by local operator Chemgas Shipping.

Like its earlier sisters Maderas and Merapi, Muria has an LOA of 29.5 metres, a moulded beam of 11.4 metres, a draught of 1.2 metres, space for five crewmembers, and a diesel-electric propulsion system consisting of three Caterpillar C18 engines. The diesel-electric propulsion is unique in that it allows the tug to draw power solely from a fourth C18 engine installed on a connected non-self-propelled barge.

Barkmeijer said the tug may be modified in future to allow installation of other types of low-emission propulsion systems such as fuel cells and batteries.

Muria will be operated on Chemgas' inland shipping routes that pass through Vlissingen, Basel, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.