The study to determine the ideal bollard pull capabilities of tugboat in Bintulu Port Malaysia

Abstract

Bintulu Port is well-known as a World Class LNG port, which strategically located along the busy sea trade between the Far East and Europe trade in North-east Coast Sarawak which located at 03 degree 16 minutes North and 113 degree 04 minute East (Bintulu Port Authority, 2011 ). Due to the increasing in size of vessels and the number of port calls, it is imperative to know and determine the ideal combined total bollard pull capabilities of tugboat needed in Bintulu Port in order to ensure safe and efficient ship handling operation. The study will also attempt to determine the most economic type of tugboat amongst the type used in Bintulu Port. The total bollard pull required to compensate internal and external force were calculated by using the formulae used in OCIMF publication. The data of the wind and wave data were obtained from Malaysian Meteorological Department, while the current force data within the port area was obtained from the Bintulu Port Authority. The data for tugboats particular, Monthly Boat Utilization Records, and towage charges were obtained from Bintulu Port's operator. The average operation time taken between the Tractor-tug (Voith-Schneider Propeller) and Azimuth Stern Drive tug (Schottel Rudder Propeller), the times are I hour 31 minutes and 1 hour 27 minutes respectively for LNG carrier departure handling operation. For LNG carrier arrival operation, average times taken are 2 hour and 25 minutes and 2 hour 22 minutes respectively. Therefore, there is no significant difference for the operation time between these two types of tugboat.