Keel Laying of New Tugs in China

Construction of new RS class ASD 3010 Ice and ASD 2609 Ice tugs has begun in the Chinese city of Changde. The keel laying ceremony took place at Damen Shipyards Changde on 24-25 November 2014. 

Peter Vanyukov, director of the RS Branch Office in China took part in the ceremony along with representatives from the shipyard, Vostochny Port JSC and Magadan Sea Port JSC.

The new ships have the RS class notations KM? Arc4 AUT1 tug and KM? Arc4 R1 AUT1 tug respectively. The tugs were designed specifically to operate in harsh climate including severe ice conditions. They will operate in ports of the Far East, in Primorye Territory and Magadan Region. Arc4 ice strengthening will enable them to work effectively during autumn and winter navigation. The construction of two of each of these tugs is planned under the RS survey.

Background

The USSR Register Inspectorate in China was established in 1947 and operated successfully until 1962, when the function of USSR Register was transferred to the Chinese Classification Society.

The Register restarted its work in China in 2003, having opened an office in Tianjin. Increased demand for the Register’s services prompted the opening of a new RS office in Shanghai in May 2014.

Specialists from the RS Branch Office in China currently provide a full range of classification and statutory services during the construction of new ships and their operation, and also carry out surveys at industrial enterprises in China.