Metal Shark has been awarded a contract to build three 36.57- by 10.66-metre river towboats for Florida Marine Transporters of Mandeville, Louisiana.
The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter M-compliant towboats were designed by John W. Gilbert Associates and will be powered by twin Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 marine diesel engines rated at 1,425kW each.
Construction is underway at Metal Shark Alabama, with deliveries commencing in 2019.
This is Metal Shark's first towboat order as well as its first steel shipbuilding project.