Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. and German propulsion leader SCHOTTEL are celebrating a landmark achievement with the 500th tugboat designed by Robert Allan and powered by SCHOTTEL.
This milestone vessel, one of a pair for KOTUG Canada, is built to the RAsalvor 4400-DFM design and equipped with SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers (SRP) and the SYDRIVE-M system.
“The success of Robert Allan has been built on developing long-term relationships within the marine industry,” said Mike Fitzpatrick, president and chief executive of Robert Allan Ltd. “Our decades-long collaboration with SCHOTTEL on 500 vessels speaks to their consistent reliability and the value they bring to our projects.”
SCHOTTEL’s deputy chief executive, Roland Schwandt, echoed the sentiment. “The number of 500 ships is a testament to the deep trust between our companies, and I look forward to many more successful projects together,” he said.
Over 25 years, the partnership has resulted in several pioneering tug designs, including the award-winning Z-Tech series and the RAstar 4200 tug Mwokozi II.
More recent innovations include diesel-electric pushboats for Hidrovias do Brasil and the all-electric HaiSea Marine fleet.
“The use of compact L-Drive azimuth drive configurations has become the standard for all Robert Allan designs,” added Schwandt.
“This milestone reflects our joint commitment to advancing tug design, performance and sustainability for a rapidly evolving maritime sector.”
