KSY modern tugboat joins Payra Port operations

A modern tugboat, ‘Tiyakhali-4’, built by Bangladesh Navy-run Khulna Shipyard Limited (KSY) for the Payra Port Authority, was launched on Monday.

Rear Admiral Md Abdul Latif, Managing Director of Khulna Shipyard Limited, formally launched the tugboat at KSY as the chief guest.

The new tugboat is expected to enhance maritime operations at Payra Port and contribute to the development of Bangladesh’s maritime infrastructure and blue economy.

Senior officials of KSY, Payra Port Authority and those involved in the project were present at the launching ceremony, said in a press release.

‘Tiyakhali-4’ is the second of two 70-tonne bollard-pull tugboats being built by KSY for the Payra Port Authority.

Designed by Singapore-based Navnautic Private Limited, the tugboat was constructed under the supervision of Bureau Veritas (BV), an international quality-control and certification organisation.

The 37-metre-long tugboat has a displacement of 1,100 tonnes and a draft of five metres. It can attain a maximum speed of 13.8 knots and is equipped with a modern Z-drive propulsion system.

The system enables the tugboat to conduct berthing, unberthing, towing and manoeuvring operations at Payra Port.

The vessel is also designed to perform a range of multipurpose maritime operations, including firefighting, rescue operations, underwater surveys, salvage work, navigation in adverse weather and pilot transfer.

Officials said the construction of the high-tech tugboat demonstrates Bangladesh’s growing technical expertise and shipbuilding capabilities.

Since its establishment, KSY has built more than 800 new vessels and repaired over 2,500 ships.