ADPC Marine Services, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), is expanding its fleet. Two new pilot boats and three new pull tugs will join ADPC Marine Services' fleet, further widening the service offerings at Khalifa Port.

The Al-Safeer-2 has just arrived from Singapore, while a second heavy duty fast pilot boat is expected to be delivered in June 2015.

Pilot boats are primarily used to take local pilots to incoming ships. As the Captains of these visiting ships are not familiar with Abu Dhabi waters, ADPC pilots get on board these vessels and take over the ship's bridge in order to manoeuvre the vessel safely into the port and, later on, back to sea.

These ultra-modern pilot boats will enhance our fleet and pilotage services for vessels calling at our ports. The new boats have been built to withstand heavy seas. They are high in power and thus both very quick and durable, says Hamad Al Maghrabi, General Manager, ADPC Marine Services.

With a length of 15 m, the aluminium pilot boats are fitted with heavy twin 490-horse-power (hp) engines and twin pitch propellers and can move with a maximum speed of 25 knots (46.3 km per hour).

In addition to the pilot boats, two new 85 T (tonnes) bollard pull tugs and one 30 T (tonnes) pull tug will join ADPC Marine Services' fleet next year, increasing the tug fleet size to nine tugs of various capacities.

Pull tugs are used to assist inbound and outbound vessels to berth and unberth at their allocated space inside the port. As these vessels cannot move themselves inside the port basin " because they are too large " the pull tugs push and pull the vessel onto the berth. Pull tugs have tremendous pushing and pulling power and are highly manoeuvrable.

The two new 85 T bollard pull tugs have stern drive propulsion, a 6500-hp engine and will be used at Khalifa Port. The 30 T pull tug has a 2500-hp engine and a shallow draft which enables the tug to be used in shallow waters, such as in and around Musaffah Port.

Our new fleet of tug boats is world-class and will be able to handle the biggest ships sailing the world's oceans today. As Abu Dhabi's prime marine service provider, we operate with cutting edge technology and offer a wide range of services in line with international standards and best practices, Al Maghrabi adds.