Tugboat Assist for Bulk Carrier’s Ocean Crossing in the Torres Strait
Scope of Work
North Marine provided a tugboat assist to a 180-meter, 25,000 gross-ton cargo bulk carrier, the ‘M.V. Funing’.
Our charter tug assisted the bulk carrier’s voyage from Bligh Entrance through the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait, Queensland.
Project Brief – Tugboat Assist in Torres Strait
The North Marine tugboat ‘Gulf Explorer’ mobilised to the Torres Strait from the Port of Cairns, Queensland. She assisted with the ship’s tug escort from here, taking up the stern tow position. An 80-meter super tug took the forward tow position.
The Gulf Explorer’s tug escort voyage involved transiting through a narrow passage of the Great Barrier Reef. Commencing at Bligh Entrance, near Bramble Cay, the tow assist passed via the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait.
The Gulf Explorer’s role is to assist the bulk carrier in holding straight and limit yawing during the narrow ocean crossing.
Project Outcome
The bulk carrier M.V. Funning made its transit safely and on schedule. The crossing was successful with no delays.
Chart Map of Torres Strait Tow Assist Route
This map shows the North Marine tugboat chart passage plan through the narrow shipping channel between Bligh Entrance and Booby Island.
The vessel’s route through the Prince of Wales Channel in the Torres Strait, Queensland, is narrow and requires multiple tugboats to assist with the crossing.
About The Client
The China Navigation Company
About The China Navigation Company
The China Navigation Company is a Singapore-based merchant shipping company. Serving over 130 ports worldwide and trading in over 90 countries, the China Navigation Company is the shipping arm of the broader global conglomerate, the ‘Swire Group’, with the business division ‘Swire Shipping’.
The shipping company operates over 150 vessels, including, but not limited to, container vessels, bulk carrier vessels, heavy-lift and general cargo vessels.
Providing vital supply chain services, The China Navigation Company delivers global transportation to several key markets, including infrastructure, energy and resources.
The Bulk Carrier Vessel Under Tow
About The Bulk Carrier, The M.V Funing
About The Bulk Carrier Vessel, The M.V Funing
The M.V. Funing is a bulk carrier cargo vessel.
At an impressive 180 meters in length and 30 meters in breadth, she weighs in at approximately 25,000 gross tons.
The bulk carrier sails under the flag of Singapore for the China Navigation Company.
Tugboat Assist in the Torres Strait, Australia
This video shows the North Marine tugboat holding the bulk carrier stern position, as it carefully navigates through areas of reef, in the Torres Strait, Queensland.
Tugboat Company Based In The Port of Cairns, Queensland
North Marine provides a suite of marine towage and tugboat hire services throughout Northern Australia – Queensland and the Torres Strait.
Our vessels have the capacity to perform a wide range of tugboat work. These include harbour towage, long-range ocean towage, tug and barge hire, and tug assists.
We offer competitive industry tugboat charter rates for towage within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ. Primary service areas include the Great Barrier Reef, the Torres Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria.