Tug News Round Up

Several important events have taken place since last I posted.

1. LEKKO for the last time

Sadly the International Tug Enthusiasts Society has decided to wind up its affairs and discontinue publication of the respected journal LEKKO. Declining numbers of subscribers, coupled with overwork for the volunteer editors and contributors - none of us are getting any younger - resulted in this difficult decision. Whether a web site or blog or Facebook group will take over remains to be seen. LEKKO was always respected for its accuracy and professionalism - something alternatives have struggled with.

2. Groupe Océan goes west

Following the advice of Hoarce Greely to "Go West Young Man" the management of Groupe Océan has announced a major move westward. On the strength of a contract for tug services with Cargill Grain, Océan has taken delivery of two new Damen tugs, built in Vietnam, and transferred one tug from Jamaica.
Stationed in Vancouver harbour, the tugs will also try to pick up other work in the port.

Ocean Granville and Ocean Kitsilano are the new tugs, apparently Damen 2813 type, which were shown on this site October 23, 2019: http://tugfaxblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2019/10/groupe-ocean-breaks-into-bc.html

They are now joined by Ocean Stevns which had been working Jamaica until new tugs arrived there. It was re-registered in Canada February 25, having sailed from Kingston to Vancouver via the Panama Canal. It has been working in Jamaica since July 2018.

Ocean BC Towing Inc has been established to run the Vancouver operation.

At the same time Océan announced a major marine construction project in the port of Prince Rupert, BC. The work involves dredging and road building to connect various terminals in the port.

Recently the tug/worboats Ocean Nigiq and Blizzard Polaire were transported by truck from Quebec to BC. Groupe Océan has been active in Alberta with a number of small craft and scows working in the various ponds created by the oil industry, but this is the first work on the Pacific coast.

3. Atlantic Shuffle

Atlantic Towing Ltd moves its various tugs around to different ports as needed. When Saint John needs the large tugs because of large tanker arrivals, a tug from Halifax is sent over, and a smaller one one from Saint John comes back to cover. That is apparently what has happened recently as Spitfire III was sent to Saint John for a spell. Its place in Halifax was taken by Atlantic Cedar, a tug that is seldom seen in Halifax.

Atlantic Cedar outboard of Atlantic Oak at The Cove (former CCG base).

Both are rated at 5,000 bhp. 

Apparently a Saint John crew brought Spitfire III back to Halifax yesterday, and sailed for home this afternoon on Atlantic Cedar. The other tugs currently in Halifax are Atlamtic Willow, Atlantic Larch, Atlantic Fir and  Atlantic Oak. The latter tug is tied up ast The Cove, and is apparently undergoing some maintenance, since it does not appear to be working in the harbour.

Similarly ATL's offshore vessels move where needed, although most work in Newfoundland.

Currently Atlantic Osprey is working out of Halifax supporting the Noble Regina Allen.

I note fleet mate Atlantic Kestrel coming out of refit at Damen, Amsterdam.

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Groupe Océan update

The two Stevns tugs arrived at Ile-aux-Coudres on schedule during the night of August 7. They were hauled out in turn on the marine slip at Industrie Océan for delivery inspection, and perhaps some small underwater work.
I was on the scene the next morning and gave them a quick appraisal. They are in surprisingly good condition, and are impressive tugs despite being overshadowed by the giant Océan Tundra under construction at the yard.

1. Altough dwarfed by the newbuilding Océan Tundra, Stevns Arctic is still an impressive tug. Note the stern lacks the ice knives of the new tug, however their hull lines are essentially the same.

2. Stevns Océan, the older of the pair, is still in pristine condition despite an ocean crossing.

Following a few days on the slip, the tugs went on to Quebec City where they were repainted in Océan colours and renamed at Océans ship repair base.
Stevns Ocean (built in 2002) has become Océan Stevns, at least for the duration of the charter, and Stevns Arctric (completed in 2005) is now Océan Arctique. The tugs were registered in Ottawa, on August 15. They have been placed under the management of Océan Remorquage Côte-Nord Inc, which confirms that they will be assigned to the Iron Company of Canada contract at Sept-Iles when  Svitzer's contract expires later this year.
Strangely, Transport Canada's web site lists their power as 1850 kW. This is the power of each of their two MaK engines, at roughly 2500 bhp each, totaling 5,000.

3. The business end features this double drum ship handling winch, with anchor windlass.

 

4. The after deck is small, but features a towing winch and a small tugger winch.

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Groupe Océan - another big move

Groupe Océan has done it again, with another major acquisition* - this time a double play.
With an estimated arrival date of August 8, at Quebec City, Stevns Ocean and Stevns Arctic will join the Océan fleet, giving a major boost to sea-going capability.
Both built in Canada, to a unique Robert Allen design, they are magnificent 5,000 bhp sea-going tugs. Since built in 2003 and 2005, they have worked all over the North Sea from their Danish home base, reaching the Netherlands, the UK, Norway and Germany.

Stevns Ocean was built by Industrie Océan at Ile-aux-Coudres, and completed in 2003, at a reported cost of $13mn.

1. Stevns Ocean alongside at Ile-aux-Coudres in final fit out. She has a massive ship handling winch forward and combination loop and tubular bow fenders.

2. A multi-purpose tug, she also has a towing winch, stern roller and firefighting equipment.

Construction of Stevns Arctic was started by Industrie Océan, but the yard ran into financial problems, and construction was suspended. (The yard was later re-organized under Groupe Océan ownership and is back in business). Arrangements were made with Irving Shipbuilding to complete the tug, and it was launched as an unpainted shell September 16, 2004. It was towed to Halifax by Atlantic Teak, and in a most unusual move, it was hauled up the launch way where the superstructure was removed,. The two components were moved into the building hall where they were fitted out, reassembled and re-launched April 8, 2005. 

3. Stevns Arctic's superstructure is readied for re-installing on the hull, prior to launch.

On July 26, 2005 it was towed to Shelburne by Atlantic Oak where is was drydocked for completion. On September 10, 2005 it returned to Halifax for final trials and handover. It sailed for Denmark September 26.

4. Stevns Arctic on the slip at Shelburne for completion.

5. Stevns Arctic returns to Halifax, under her own power, for completion of trials.

Both tugs were built for subsidiaries of Nordane Shipping, to work on the European charter market. Nordane has now sold off their all-Canadian built fleet, the remainder built by Irving Shipbuilding's East Isle yard in Georgetown, PE. Two had previously returned to Canada and now serve Rio Tinto Alcan on the Saguenay.  The other five were sold to Svitzer. Can we expect more to return? They would be a great fit for someone since they are all 5,000 bhp ice class. 

Meanwhile Groupe Océan will redeploy Océan A. Simard and Océan Serge Genois to Bull Arm, NL**.

Also the recently acquired pusher tug Mega*** appears to have been renamed Orléans, but as yet this has not been made official.
Update:
* I understand that the two tugs are on charter with purchase option, but they will be repainted to Groupe Oceéan colours.
** Two more tugs will assigned to Bull Arm in 2014. Groupe Océan has been awarded a major contract there for tug services.
 *** This may be an error-there appears to be a barge in Quebec with that name, but with the same tonnage as the tug - update to follow.
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