Newbuild deliveries have been completed to France and Peru while orders have been placed for two hybrid tugs for operation in China and Japan and a conventionally-powered tug for Libya.
TSM tug to operate in French Mediterranean waters
French operator Thomas Services Maritimes (TSM) has taken delivery of a new ASD tug built by Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam,
TSM Odet measures 28 metres long and is powered by Caterpillar main engines that deliver a bollard pull of 60 tonnes. The tug also features firefighting equipment and a deck crane.
A winterisation package will ensure safe operations year-round off France's Mediterranean coast.
Saam Towage deploys newest tug for Peru operations
Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey has completed the delivery voyage of a new tug ordered by Saam Towage for operations in Peru.
Saam Condor was built to a Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) design. Like near-identical sister Saam Halcon III, which operates in Saam's home country of Chile, the new tug measures 24 metres long and has a bollard pull of 70 tonnes courtesy of two Caterpillar 3516C engines.
Saam Condor also has firefighting equipment including a pump driven by the port side main engine and with a capacity of 2,700 cubic metres per hour.
Alabama builder secures order from Houston towage company
Master Boat Builders of Coden, Alabama, has been contracted to build a new tug for Houston, Texas-based Suderman and Young Towing Company.
The RAL-designed vessel will be the fourth tug newbuilding for Suderman and Young in Master Boat Builders' current orderbook. Three other tugs of a different series are under construction at the company's Coden facilities.
The new tug will be powered by two Caterpillar 3516E US EPA Tier IV engines driving Schottel Z-drive fixed-pitch propellers.
Chinese yard to build hybrid tug for coastal and inland sailings
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has been awarded a contract to build a new hybrid tug for operation out of Ningbo Port.
The tug will have an intelligent DC power distribution and drive system and propellers driven by permanent magnets. The total installed power will be 3,728 kW.
The vessel will be capable of sailing in both coastal and inland waters.
Libya's Misurata Free Zone orders escort tug from Turkish builder
The Misurata Free Zone of Libya has awarded Turkish shipbuilder Med Marine a contract for a new escort tug.
Designed by Robert Allan Ltd, the tug will measure 28.4 metres long and will be crewed by eight personnel. It will be capable of a bollard pull of 85 tonnes and a free running speed of 12 knots.
Construction will take place at Med Marine's Eregli Shipyard.
K Line subsidiary to develop hybrid electric tug
Japanese shipowner Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), through group company Seagate Corporation, has confirmed plans to build a new hybrid electric tug.
The tug will draw power from a large lithium-ion battery with shore charging capability.
Deployment is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2025. It will be operated in the Seto Inland Sea off Tokuyama in Yamaguchi prefecture.
