Multraship, a towage and salvage specialist, has further strengthened its multipurpose fleet with the addition of the ASD tug Multratug 20.

Multraship has contracted with international broker and consultant DSB Offshore for the long-term bareboat charter of the 72-ton bollard-pull vessel, which was built by the Bogazici Shipyard in Turkey in 2010 and is equipped to undertake a range of services including towage, escort, anchor-handling, fire-fighting and salvage.

Multratrug 20 has two Schottel SRP 1515 propulsion units and is powered by two Caterpillar 3516B engines. Its 244 cu m bunker capacity allows for both coastal and open sea towage and, with a length overall of 32.5 m, it can comfortably perform harbour towage operations. Deck equipment includes a 200t/80t MacGregor escort winch, a 130t/65t towing winch, a deck crane, a triple shark jaw, tow pins and a 130t stern roller.

Multraship managing director Leendert Muller says, “The latest addition to the Multraship fleet underlines our long-term commitment to the maritime sector. Our new tug will be used primarily at sea, for towage, and to provide assistance and support for wind-farm and offshore construction projects.

“Although traditional shipping activities have been experiencing a difficult time during the economic downturn of the last five years, the offshore sector is healthy, with new technology being used to exploit new resources in new areas. At the same time, the renewable energy market continues to develop at an exciting pace, driven by the demand for clean, green sources of power.

“By continuing to bolster its multipurpose fleet, Multraship is ensuring that it is well-positioned now and for the future.”