By Mark Edward Nero
Port of Veracruz-based shipyard Talleres Navales del Golfo (TNG)
on May 26 announced the ‘reactivation of the Mexican shipbuilding industry’ as
part of a keel laying ceremony for the ASD tug C-130 for state-owned
petroleum company Petróleos Mexicanos.
“In the shipbuilding industry, the keel is the most
important piece of a vessel structure,” Talleres Navales del Golfo General
Manager Jose Antonio Sardina said. “I’m sure that this big moment represents
the keel of a new era for TNG and Mexico.”
TNG is the first Mexican Shipyard to begin the building of
one of seven tugs assigned to Mexico by the Mexican Navy and Petróleos
Mexicanos, commonly known as Pemex. TNG’s mission includes cutting the steel
plates to be used in the construction of the seven vessels, as well as
the full construction of four of the tugboats. The project also includes the
shotblasting, shop primer and the bevel of more than 1,500 steel plates with a
weight close to 3,000 tons.
TNG is expected to deliver the C-130 to Pemex by June 2015.
The vessel is designed to have a length of 103 feet and breadth of 36 feet,
with a bollard pull of 50 tons, a draft of almost 14 feet, and 12 knots of
speed.
The tugboats have been designed especially for sea and port
operations, such as towage at port and coastal areas; towing at sea; firefighting
services with a water and foam pump; rescue work; and hydrocarbons collection
jobs.
