ATB Pushpin™ Coupling System

Introduction

In 1993 Acomarin began marketing a new tug-boat/barge coupling system known as the ATB- Pushpin® Coupling System (ATB = Articulated Tug and Barge) to companies in North and South America. The first contract, signed in the latter part of 2000, was with K-Sea Transportation, Inc. (main office in Staten Island, New York) for their tug boat, "Kara Sea", and "Spring Creek" oil barge.

The main components of the system were manufactured in Finland, and shipped to ship yards located in New Orleans, Louisiana where they were installed on the tug-barge pair in July 2001. The "Kara-Sea" and "Spring-Creek" tug-barge pair has, as of the end of 2002, logged more than 80,000 nautical miles, which includes three roundtrip trans-Atlantic crossings. Several other installations, extending throughout the world, are currently being processed.

Benefits

Low additional weight
Small space required
Short equipment delivery time
Connection is possible in rough sea
Safe operation, could be kept connected in 30 foot waves
Tug can be used in towing purposes after installation of the coupler
Competitive investment costs