Tugs to aid contract for Brunei LNG plant

Netherlands-based Kotug International B.V. has secured a technical partnership agreement with Brunei-based SPHI Marine Sdn Bhd (SPHI Marine), which has been awarded a 10 + 5 year LNG terminal support contract to provide marine services for Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd (Brunei LNG), the operator of the Lumut-based plant.

The contract between Kotug and SPHI Marine covers the provision of a complete marine package for the design, construction, and operation of three newbuild advanced Rotortugs and one newbuild hybrid Rampage 4500 Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, all having a range between 65 and 80 tons bollard pull.

The partnership between Kotug and SPHI Marine traces back to 2014 when Kotug started operations with three Rotortugs for Brunei Shell Petroleum Company. Three strong tugs of the revolutionary Rotor concept are in charge of the berthing and unberthing operations of LNG Tankers, standby services during loading, oil spill response, SPM support, and firefighting duties. The RT Champion, RT Leader and RT Tasman will continue operating till the arrival of the new vessels.

The new vessels will be owned by SPHI Marine and fully technically managed by Kotug for the first period of the contract. Based on a transition plan, Kotug will hand the management over to SPHI Marine during the second part of the contract.