KHAMDI (L) exchanging certificates with Lee (R)
LABUAN: Labuan Shipyard & Engineering Sdn. Bhd. (LSE) recently achieved another feather in the cap when it completed the construction of AR DIAMOND, the first ever constructed tugboat in Malaysia that is built with a circular towing ring capable of making full 360 degree turns. AR DIAMOND is 25.08 metres long and has a pull capability of up to 50 tonnes.
Unlike most conventional tugboats that are built with have a fixed towing winch system which only allows turns between 1 and 180 degrees, this AR DIAMOND is equipped with a remote operated winch mounted on top of the towing ring that allows tugs to be done in any direction within a 360 degrees radius during manoeuvring operations of vessels to harbours.
This key feature enables adequate stability achieved through rapid and accurate manoeuvring, as well as better control when turning the hull even at relatively high towing speeds.
The official delivery of this vessel took place on 3 May 2023 in Kuala Lumpur through a hybrid ceremony to sign and hand over completion certificates between the project owner, Harbour 360 Sdn Bhd and LSE, as the builder.
The certificates were signed by Lee Kong Siong, representative of Harbour 360, while chief operating officer, Khamdi Khalip represented LSE.
Physically in attendance to witness the ceremony were Capt. Ng. Ber Toon and Mr. Ooi Kean Meng from Nautica Ship Management Sdn. Bhd., naval architect, Naval Arch Marine Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director Ir. Peter Tay, and project’s consultant NVS Maritime Consultancy Sdn Bhd’s Director Robert Versteeg. LSE’s group chief financial officer, Shamsir Aiza Zainal and its general manager for projects, Mohd Zamri bin Sampol were also present while the project team witnessed through videoconferencing.
The project to construct this historical tugboat was awarded back in June 2021 and was expected to be delivered last year in 2022 but disruptions in the global supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic had caused a minor setback in its construction. LSE and Harbour 360 expressed their interest in continuing the existing collaboration as they are poised to become pioneers of such tugs in Malaysia’s Shipbuilding & Ship Repair (SBSR) industry.
Among recent vessels successfully built and delivered by LSE include 2 units of 82-metre offshore work/accommodation vessels (OWAV) and a 77-metre DP2 diesel propulsion electric platform supply vessel (PSV), in addition to 3 units of tugboats for Bintulu Port.
Ends
Photo
1. KHAMDI (L) exchanging certificates with Lee (R)
2.AERIEL view of AR DIAMOND with LSE in the background
3.HYBRID Group Photo, of those present physically in KL and of those present at LSE in Labuan are on the background screen.
