---

Canadian firm Robert Allan Ltd has been awarded a contract by Ningbo Port Company Ltd., China, to design a RAstar 4200-DF Class dual-fuel (LNG-MDO) tug.

The new tug is to be powered by a pair of Niigata 8L28AHX-DF dual-fuel engines, each using a Rolls-Royce US 255 CP Z-drive and delivering a bollard pull of close to 80 tonnes.

According to Robert Allan, the vessel will have an LNG storage capacity of 50 to 60 cubic metres, and is to be fully classed as a dual-fuel tug with China Classification Society (CCS).

Robert Allan has also been contracted to assist the Chinese port with the construction contract tendering process.

In a statement, the Vancouver-based ship designer said: "This agreement follows extensive efforts by both Robert Allan Ltd. and the Port in identifying a concept best suited to the port's unique requirements."

The award of the new contract builds on the previous collaboration between both companies on several tug designs since 2004. It includes a number of 32 to 39-metre-long tugs (4800 - 7200 horsepower), including the recent Yong Gang Tuo 31.