Rolls-Royce to Equip Baydelta’s New Hybrid Tug
Rolls-Royce said it will supply a hybrid propulsion arrangement
for installation to a multipurpose tractor tug being built for
Baydelta Maritime LLC at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
shipyard in Washington State, U.S.
The 100-foot long tug is due for delivery in the first quarter of
2019, and will feature the same ship assist and tanker escort
capabilities of existing Delta Class harbor tugs but with
improved towing performance. Rolls-Royce said its hybrid system
enhances the vessel's escort capability, enabling the tug to
provide support for assisting the ultra-large containerships that
operate from U.S. West Coast ports.
Rolls-Royce will supply all electric motors, shaft generators and
a power management and control system. The hybrid arrangement
provides power to US 255 azimuth thrusters with ducted fixed
pitch propellers that can be rotated 360 degrees around the
vertical axis. This arrangement optimizes omni-directional thrust
and maneuverability as well as providing improved crash stop
capability.
The tug will be powered by two Caterpillar C3516 C Tier 3 diesel
engines, each rated at 1,995 kW at 1,600 rpm, and by two
Rolls-Royce supplied 424 kW electric motors. The two Rolls-Royce
255 units can accept power from the diesel engines, electric
motors and from both power sources. The electric motors are
powered by three CAT C9.3 generators with 300 kW each, which are
480V three-phase at 1,800 rpm, and one harbor generator, a C7.1
150 kW 480V, three-phase at 1,800 rpm.
According to Rolls-Royce, the order represents the first hybrid
tug using Rolls-Royce hybrid technology, the
first
installation of a hybrid system for Nichols Brothers and the
first hybrid tug designed by Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime
Corp's Seattle-based naval architecture and engineering firm.
Erik Larsen, Rolls-Royce, Vice President - Tug and Fish,
Americas, said, "Baydelta Maritime is a long-standing customer
for Rolls-Royce, but this order is of particular significance
because it marks our first Rolls-Royce Hybrid System for a tug.
The tug will provide improved fuel efficiency and emissions. It
shows this market, that the Rolls-Royce portfolio extends way
beyond our U.S.-type azimuth thrusters, the propulsion system of
choice for this segment."
Rolls-Royce and Baydelta have been working together since 1990s,
when the San Francisco -based operator specified its first
azimuth thrusters. Since then Baydelta's entire fleet of tractor
tugs is equipped with drive units.
"Our US 255 azimuth thrusters are ideally suited to provide the
maneuverability and bollard pull needed for operations in larger
harbors, terminals and escort applications. One of the reasons
for success is the product's ability to provide bollard pull of
more than 90 tons," Larsen explained,
"The key benefit operating these thrusters in a hybrid
configuration is that it reduced the power requirement.
Typically, a tug of this size would need a power output 2,500 kW.
The hybrid arrangement allows operators to achieve the required
bollard pull from a smaller engine. It provides greater
operational flexibility."
Peter Zwart, VP of Operations, Baydelta Maritime, highlighted the
maintenance benefits of the Rolls-Royce system: "We started
building this current class of tugs in 2007 and now all our tugs
have Rolls-Royce thrusters, the US 255. We know that with proper
maintenance they last a long time, hopefully up to 15 years
without a major overhaul."
Commenting on their operational performance, Mark Barnum,
Captain, Baydelta Maritime, added, "In San Francisco Bay
containerships can enter at high rates of speed to maintain
maneuverability and Rolls Royce thrusters are very responsive. We
can go from full ahead to full astern in under 30 seconds. They
also allow us to provide pilots with high tonnage breaks to
prevent anything from happening during maneuvers."
The new tug Jensen Maritime has designed for Baydelta will be
capable of a 90 short-ton bollard pull and capable of carrying up
to 71,000 gallons of fuel, 4,300 gallons of fresh water, a large
pilot house will provide all-around visibility, and the deckhouse
has an open feel with a large mess and lounge area along with
accommodations for a 8-person crew.
Bryan Nichols, Director Business Development, Jensen Maritime,
said, "The development of this new tug demonstrates our
commitment to innovative, environmentally friendly design while
continuing to deliver powerful, high-quality performance. This
tug will meet the industry's demand for strong, yet nimble
vessels with the quality design people expect from us."
Feb 6, 2018