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Massive turnout for the tugs and towage two-day conference

The increasingly popular biennial Tugnology conference was held London for the second time. Tugnology 15 was convened on the 18 & 19th of May at the Lancaster Hotel, located in London’s ‘West End’.

Yet again this highly specialised event attracted a record number of participants. Organised by the ABR Company the massive conference hall at the hotel was filled to capacity with 373 delegates from 37 countries, who came prepared for two days of intense presentation and discussion. This ‘fifth’ Tugnology attracted tug owners, designers and suppliers of specialised equipment for the towage industry,

Fifteen papers were presented over the two-day period, chaired by Mike Allen the regular chairman of Tugnology and the ITS&OSV conventions.

The conference was formally opened by the Chairman of the ABR Company Mr Allan Brunton-Reed who introduced the Inaugural speaker Capt Don Cockrill a senior pilot with the Port of London Authority for 24 years and Chairman of the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association (UKMPA). In his address he spoke about the need for competent tugs and a good working relationship with shiphandling towage providers.

Several papers were related to various aspects of tug design and the human interface in particular. A paper entitled ‘Higher Tug Crew Comfort Calls for Advanced Sound & Vibration Control’ was presented by Tjakko Keizer and Jochem de Jong from Damen Shipyards. The paper addressed the need for increased understanding with regard to sound and vibration, measurement, behaviour, and methods of control.

Bridge Ergonomics – Fashion or Function was the title of a paper on a related subject by Gerard van den Beard of Alphatron Marine BV. He explained in some detail the importance of the man/machine interface, the implications of the increasing amount of high tech equipment installed on a tug’s bridge, and the development of the ‘Alphabrige’ console designs as a solution.

Details of new tug designs or concepts often emerge at Tugnology or ITS for the first time. Kenneth Harford, Managing Director, and Naval Architect Mike Philips of Robert Allan Ltd presented The ‘Rangler’ - Looking at LNG powered Tugs with Fresh Eyes. This paper was of great interest to those embroiled in the considerable debate on the future of LNG as a viable fuel in shiphandling tugs.

In some instances delegates attending Tugnology also see the results of developments revealed in previous occasions. A highlight on this occasion was a joint presentation by Dr Ocar Lisagor of Robert Allan Ltd, Dr Dirk Juegens of Voith Turbo Schneider Propulsion GmbH and Leendert Muller Managing Director of Multraship Towage & Salvage. The trio introduced the ‘Carrousel-RAVE’ a new shiphandling tug design that brings together the ‘Carrousel’ concept first introduced and demonstrated at ITS2002 and the RAVE concept from Tugnology 2011. The result will be a 32m harbour tug with a 70 tonnes bollard pull and indirect towing performance of a powerful escort tug. Key features of this new vessel are the RAVE hull configuration, with two Voith propulsion units located on the centreline, and the Carrousel towing system patented by Novatug BV and demonstrated on the Multratug 12.The paper records in some detail the design of this new vessel which is due go into production very soon.

Among the remaining papers were subjects on; alternative fuels, a case study on tug performance evaluation, electric variable transmission technology, and advanced system simulation in tug engine development.

An exhibition area was also provided for ‘table-top’ displays where manufacturers, designers and tug builders could display their wares. On this occasion 42 such displays were taken up by well-known international players in the tugs and towage business and the exhibition area proved popular among delegates as a meeting place during tea/coffee breaks in the scheduled conference proceedings.

It was during a break in proceedings that Robert Allan Ltd, a regular contributor to Tugnology conferences, celebrated its 85th year in business. To mark the occasion a commemorative plaque was presented to Robert Allan by Mr. Ken Lo, Director of Cheoy Lee Shipyards, to commemorate construction of its 85th Robert Allan Ltd. designed vessel. The two companies have worked closely together serving since the first of the award-winning Z-Tech series of tugs was built at Cheoy Lee in 2004.

In keeping with previous Tugnology and ITS conferences the hospitality offered and the opportunities for ‘networking’ were excellent. Lunch was provided on both days of the event sponsored by Uzmar Workboat & Tug Factory. A dinner organised during the first evening was sponsored by Damen Shipyards, with pre-dinner drinks by Samson Ropes. MTU sponsored coffee and tea breaks.

An added event on the afternoon and evening of May the 18th prior to Tugnology was the opportunity to witness the christening ceremony for the Rotortug RT Evolution. The Damen-built ART 80-32 Hybrid Rotortug was moored in the Thames at the Greenwich Ship Tier. A large party of delegates, visitors and those participating in the Christening were taken down river aboard the luxury restaurant vessel Silver Sturgeon for a Tugnology conference ’Cocktail Party on route. On arrival Silver Sturgeon moored on a pontoon adjacent to the RT Evolution where Mrs Elizabeth Brunton-Reed, wife of the ABR Company Chairman Mr Allan Brunton-Reed, formally named RT Evolution with her family and Tugnology delegates in attendance. KOTUG chose Mrs Brunton-Reed as ‘sponsor lady’ to express its appreciation and gratitude for the commitments and achievements of The ABR Company.

Massive turnout for the tugs and towage two-day conference

Details

  • London, UK
  • Tugnology Conference