Colombo Dockyard to build tug, barge for State Trading Organisation, Maldives

Ranil Wijegunawardena and Ahmed Shaheer exchanging contracts

Previously designed 13 m general workboat ‘Fairmaid of Perth’ built for Perth Harbour – Mac Duff Ship Design 

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) has penned agreements for the construction of an eight ton Bollard Pull Tug and a 45 m Flat Top Barge for the State Trading Organisation PLC (STO) of the Republic of Maldives. 

Managing Director/CEO Ranil Wijegunawardena and Managing Director Ahmed Shaheer of State Trading Organisation PLC signed and sealed the agreements on behalf of the two parties in STO Head Office in Male.

Colombo Dockyard has been one of the trustworthy shipbuilders for the Maldivian shipping fraternity and this is a significant project, as it further strengthens the relationship between the two nations. All previously built vessels namely; Coastal Surveillance Vessels, Fire Fighting Boats, Fast Landing Crafts, Landing Crafts and Fisheries Protection Vessels built for several Maldivian institutions are providing a yeoman service to their owners, much to the credit of Colombo Dockyard.  

The design of this Tug is developed by a world renowned ship designer Macduff Ship Design Ltd of UK. The Tug is a proven design of a 13 m general workboat originally designed and built for Perth Harbour. The original design has been customised to suit STO’s operational requirements and will be built to meet the rules and regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping. The Tug will be classed to IRS+SUL Tug (restricted Water Service), IY notation.

The Tug shall be powered by two CUMMINS Main Engines each developing a propulsive power of 325 hp, driving Fixed Pitch Propellers. This combination provides the required bollard pull and speed and optimum efficiency for cost effective operation for the Tug. 

The 45 m Flat Top Barge is to be used for deck loading operations in the coastal areas of Maldives. The Barge will have length of 45 m, a breadth of 12 m and a depth of 3 m. The Barge is designed by Marine Consultants of India.  

With over four decades of experience, CDPLC has evolved in to a formidable force in the regional ship building arena building vessels of various designs for different services. Presently, the mainstream of Shipbuilding business generates from highly specialised Offshore Support Vessels segment, building OSVs for companies engaged in providing Offshore Oil & Gas field services, in the oil and gas exploration and production domain.

The products range from 80-150 Ton Bollard Pull Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels, Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels, Platform/ ROV Support Vessels, Crew Boats to name a few.

Particulars of the Tug:

Length, overall    : 13.00 m    

Breadth, moulded : 5.40 m    

Depth :   2.47 m 

Bollard Pull :   8.00 Tonnes

Speed :   9.00 knots

Main Engines : 2 x NTA855-M CUMMINS each developing 350 hp @ 1800 rpm

Classification : IRS +SUL Tug (Restricted Water Services), IY