More power from latest new build
Türkiye’s world renowned tug builder, Sanmar Marine, has a reputation for not letting the grass grow under its feet. The company’s new custom built construction yard near Istanbul is paying dividends with the third launch in just a couple of months. Ulupinar XIII has now been followed by the completion of Ulupinar XIV and the launch of a more powerful Ulupinar XV.
When originally conceived by the Robert Allan Ltd team of naval architects and Sanmar management working together in close consultation, this class, unique to this builder, was a 45 tonne bollard pull ASD. For this latest launch, the fifteenth version of the class has a very similar general specification and layout configuration to its 14 highly successful predecessors but more powerful Caterpillar engines and the next size up of Rolls-Royce Z-drives gives a minimum of five extra tonnes of bollard pull to attain a figure fractionally more than 50 tonnes.
Now incorporating a pair of Caterpillar 3512, Tier I main engines, each developing 1500kW at 1,600 rev/min, turning Rolls-Royce type 205FP fully azimuthing thrusters located aft, with propellers of 2,200mm diameter, the increased bollard will prove an even greater attraction to potential customers needing a powerful agile tug with compact dimensions. Measuring 24.40m x 9.15m with a maximum draft of just 4.40m, Ulupinar XV enjoys the same high standard of accommodation for a crew of six both in terms of the clever use of space and low noise levels.
Initially Ulupinar XIV is being chartered to an Egyptian Operator for nine weeks and then will join Sanmar’s own fleet operating in Mersin International Port. Ulupinar XV will join the same fleet unless it is sold prior to completion.
