Press release: Mampaey Offshore Industries B.V. & Macduff ShipDesign, April 25th 2007

First Mampaey DOT-system sold to Peterhead Port

Peterhead Port Authority has signed a contract for the construction of a new 13m Harbour Tug equipped with the Mampaey Dynamic Oval Towing (DOT) System. This is the world first tug equipped with the innovative DOT-system. With a bollard pull of 9 tons, a crane and an additional 'A' frame for plough dredging this multifunctional vessel will be capable of performing a wide range of harbour duties. Two Scania engines rated at 350 BHP each will give the vessel a free running speed of 9 Knots. Macduff Ship Design acts as the owners' consultant and project manager and is responsible for the complete vessel design package. The engineering and structural integration of the DOT-system has been performed by IMC.

The vessel will be build by Macduff Shipyards on the north-east coast of Scotland. The Mampaey Dynamic Oval Towing system integrates the towing points for sailing ahead and astern into one system. The system adds safety, controllability and, above all, flexibility to the performance of tugs enabling them to rotate in all directions in a safe and controlled manner irrespective of the heading of the assisted vessel. In exposed conditions this capability will always allow the tug to meet waves safely with the raised bow. In confined spaces assisting vessels is much safer because with the 360° all-round towing system the tugs' full power is available in any directions. This was an important consideration in deciding on the DOT system according to Peterhead Port.

To withstand the dynamic forces, the DOT-system has a safe working load of 15 tons. The rail, on which the system travels, is optimized for easy integration and low costs. This new tug is the first successful result arising out of the cooperation between Macduff Ship Design and Mampaey Offshore Industries. Macduff Ship Design has a range of tugs up to 25 meter that are suitable for the DOTsystem. Besides being awarded with this first order, a panel also selected Mampaey Offshore Industries B.V. as the most innovative SME company of the Netherlands. The DOT-system contributed significantly to the number 1 position in the Innovation Top 100.

You can visit Macduff Ship Design during Seawork 2007 in Southampton where demonstrations will be given of the Dynamic Oval Towing system by Mampaey Offshore Industries.