BHPB Bolsters Towage Capabilities at Port Hedland

zoom BHP Billiton Towage Services Pty Ltds (BHPB) is going to boost its towage capabilities at the Australian Port of Hedland with the addition of four ART80-32 escort tugs. The fleet expansion will take place between January and March 2015 BHPB and will increase the companys fleet to 18 vessels, including 11 rotor tugs with escort capabilities and seven harbor tugs. BHPB said that the new tugs will allow all capesize vessels to be escorted to the 18km point of the channel. The ART80-32 tugs will be moored on a purpose-built barge at Stingray Creek and they will be operated by Rivtow Marine Pty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Riverside Marine. The towage rates will remain unchanged, BHPB said. The company added that the study on the most appropriate tug fleet mix to meet projected demand and manage shipping risk in the port. The study is nearing completion and is based on the construction of an additional tug haven at Hunt Point and the purchase of new larger RAstar85 escort tugs to supplement the existing fleet, BHPBs Nathan Hunt said.