Tenders sought for consultants to oversee design and build of third new tug

The Council is seeking tenders to provide the consultancy services to oversee the design and build of a third new tug – Vale of Scapa - for the Orkney Harbour Authority.

In 2020 the Harbour Authority took delivery of two new 32m vessels – Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa - following the award of a successful design and build contract with a shipyard in Turkey. This was undertaken with the assistance and input at all stages from a suitably qualified and experienced contractor, similar to the details contained within the specification on the Public Contracts Scotland website and invitation to quote documentation.

In general, the vessel to be commissioned will be an approximate 32m length harbour tug, with indirect towing capability, built to an ICAS class, registered in the UK and delivered to Orkney.

The contract notice is available to view here:  www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

Councillors agreed earlier this year at a Special General Meeting for a third tug to be built to the same design as the new tugs.

The design and build contract for the 32-metre tugs – Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa - was secured by Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey.

Construction took place at Sanmar’s new specialist tug building facility, all of which is undercover, at Altinova about an hour south of Istanbul.

Both tugs sailed into Orkney in September 2020. They each cost £6.1 million.

A public poll was carried out to name the tugs with  - Vale of Scapa –  held in reserve until such time as a third tug was approved.

The Council’s Head of Marine Services, Transportation and Harbour Master, Jim Buck, said: “We are delighted with the quality of the two new tugs which have been working hard in Scapa Flow since their arrival given the ongoing increased activity in our waters. The approval by Councillors earlier this year for a third modern tug will ensure that we are able to move with the times and offer what we firmly believe is a first-class service to our clients.”

Councillor Graham Sinclair is Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee. He said: “We are proud of the services we have provided to Flotta over the decades and that we will continue to do this at the same time as establishing Orkney as the pre-eminent location for ship-to-ship operations in northern Europe.

“This growth along with the Flotta operation would not be possible without world class tugs and crews and this success means that it was vital to invest in this essential equipment.

“This will allow the Council to make the most of current and future marine business opportunities and this will enable harbour operations to continue to cover the full costs of the Marine Service operations as well as where appropriate providing a return to the Strategic Reserve Fund, which in turn provides the opportunity for the Council to maintain services as a whole at a time of financial challenge.

“Over and above this, I have responsibility for oversight of the safe operation of the harbour and these new tugs are essential to maintaining our reputation for safety.”