Two US operators place orders for towing and salvage vessels and a shipyard in Russia floats out a new emergency response tug slated for the country's marine rescue service. Meanwhile, a Dutch builder introduces a series of workboats powered by batteries.
Dutch builder launches new electric workboat range
Netherlands-based the Damen Shipyards Group has launched a new series of electric shallow-draught workboats that will serve the towage and offshore industries.
The vessels will be capable of operating in inland waters as well as up to 20 nautical miles offshore. Duties will include towing, anchor handling, buoy recovery, surveying, bunker supply, waste/oil recovery, and support duties.
Each workboat in the series will have a length of 19 metres and batteries that will allow operations of up to 12 hours on a single full charge.
US Navy orders additional Navajo-class salvage ship
The US Navy has awarded shipbuilder Austal USA a US$71.7 million fixed-price incentive contract option for the construction of an additional Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ship (T-ATS).
With the award, Austal USA is now under contract for five T-ATS, having received awards for T-ATS 13 and 14 in July 2022 and T-ATS 11 and 12 in October 2021, respectively.
The ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue ships will be designed to support the navy's fleet operations. Each T-ATS will have a multi-mission common hull platform capable of towing heavy ships.
The vessels will be capable of supporting a variety of missions including oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue (SAR), and surveillance.
New Russian emergency response tug hits the water
Russia's Okskaya Shipyard has floated out a new tug slated for the Russian Marine Rescue Service.
Designed by Nordic Engineering, Pechak belongs to the Project NE025 series of multi-role tugs. Duties will include towing, buoy installation, cargo transport, dredging support, and firefighting.
Oksakaya will deliver five all five tugs under Project NE025 to the marine rescue service before the end of the year.
Moran Towing selects Canadian design for new tugs
Connecticut-based Moran Towing Corporation has collaborated with Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd to develop a design for two new tugs to be delivered within two years.
The tugs will each have a length of 92 feet (28 metres), a beam of 40 feet (12 metres), and two US EPA Tier IV-compliant main engines that will deliver a bollard pull of 88 tons (80 tonnes).
The tugs will be built at the Alabama facilities of Master Boat Builders. Once delivered, they will be operated along the US Gulf and East Coasts.