Kolkata: Keeping up the momentum in Defence Exports, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed an agreement with the Directorate General, Defence Purchase, Ministry of Defence, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on June 30, 2024, for the construction of an advanced Ocean-Going Tug. A few weeks ago, GRSE had signed another contract with Bangladesh for delivery of a Trailing Suction Hopper (TSH) dredger. More recently, on June 22, 2024, GRSE entered into a contract with a German company for the delivery of at least four multi-purpose cargo vessels.
The overall length (LOA) of the tug will be nearly 61 metres, and the vessel will be about 15.80 metres wide with a depth nearly 6.80 metres. The tug’s draught requirement with a full load will be around 4.80 metres while it’s bollard pull capacity will be 76 Tons ahead and 50 Tons astern. The ship’s maximum speed with a full load will be at least 13 knots.
While Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, was present during the signing of the agreement, Cmde A K M Maruf Hassan, Director Purchase (Navy), Directorate General Defence Purchase, Ministry of Defence was present on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Among the others present were the officials from GRSE and Ministry of Defence, Govt of Bangladesh.
The tug’s primary roles will include towing of ships at sea, both alongside and astern, assist them during berthing and casting off as well as help them in turning through pushing and pulling. The vessel will also have the capability to carry out rescue and salvage operations at sea. It’s secondary roles will be to provide firefighting support to ships at sea and limited pollution control measures. The platform will be extremely robust with a capability to operate even at sea state 5 (wind speeds of 17-21 knots and wave heights of 2-3 metres) with dynamic positioning – 2 system capability. This is an advanced computer-controlled system that allows a ship to maintain its heading and position without the use of mooring lines or anchors.
