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Tractor Tug News

05 Feb 2024

Bisso's New Tractor Tug to Enter Service This Spring

(Photo: Caterpillar Marine)

A new tugboat is slated to enter service for Bisso Towboat this Spring.The Luling, La. based marine towage provider has been working with Main Iron Works to update its fleet, replacing a conventional tug with a tractor tug about every 18 months. In late 2022, the Houma, La. shipbuilder began building a new tractor tug Mr. Brian—the sixth azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug built by Main Iron Works for Bisso in the past eight years.Named after Bisso’s vice president of operations Brian Cyprowski…

04 Jan 2024

McAllister Takes Delivery of New Tractor Tug from Washburn & Doughty

Grace McAllister (Photo: McAllister Towing)

New York based McAllister Towing announced it has taken delivery of its new shipdocking tractor tug Grace McAllister from East Boothbay, Maine shipyard Washburn & Doughty.Equipped with 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines powering twin Schottel SRP 490 Z-drive units, the 93- by 38-foot vessel produces 6,770 horsepower and achieved over 85 metric tons during bollard pull certification. Markey winches are installed on the tug's bow and stern.Grace McAllister has received Low Emission Vessel class notation from ABS.

28 Dec 2023

Workboat Power: Alternatives Join Diesel to Power Current—and Future—Vessels

Crowley’s new electric tug eWolf is being built by Master Boat Builders for scheduled delivery in 2024. (Image: Crowley)

Analysts and commentators are quick to point out that fossil fuels will power maritime equipment, and indeed dominate the fueling marketplace, well into the future. However, they will do so alongside new fuels, and new technologies, that will be introduced to the maritime sector in the coming years. In its September, 2023 report “Beyond the Horizon: View of the Emerging Energy Value Chains”, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) explains that, “During the recent 80th meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80)…

20 Nov 2023

Insights: Frank Manning, President & COO, Diversified Marine, Inc.

Frank Manning, President & COO, Diversified Marine, Inc. (Photo: Diversified Marine, Inc.)

Frank Manning has quickly risen through the ranks during his eight years in the shipyard business, today serving as president and COO at Diversified Marine, Inc. (DMI) in Portland, Ore. Crucial along the way has been a passion for the business itself and the people that make it all possible.“The first day I walked in a shipyard I knew that I was in the right industry,” Manning said. “DMI has always been a relationship-based business. All of our customers are close friends, and we have relationships that are second to none,” he said.

11 Nov 2022

Speed Reduction Led to Vessel Collision on the Neches River

​Gas Ares after t​he collision. (Source: U.S. Coast Guard)

A pilot's decision to reduce the speed of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier resulted in reduced rudder effectiveness, ultimately leading to a collision with a moored tug on the Neches River, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found.In November 2021, a state licensed pilot from the Sabine Pilots took navigational control of the 754-foot-long Gas Ares as it was heading to load a cargo of propane and butane at the no. 1 loading dock at Sunoco Logistics, located in Nederland, Texas, on the Neches River.

04 Nov 2022

Bisso Towboat Orders Tug from Main Iron Works

Luling, La. based marine towage provider Bisso Towboat said it has ordered a new tractor tug from Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2022 with delivery in early 2024, Bisso revealed in an announcement.The 5,000 BHP ASD tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 2,500 BHP each at 1,600 RPM. The engines will drive a pair of Kongsberg US205S azimuthing thrusters with 2,400 mm diameter stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles. Estimated bollard pull will be 66 tons.Other onboard equipment will include a JonRie Series 240 escort winch, Caterpillar C4.4 118 KW generator sets and a full complement of safety, monitoring and electronic equipment, Bisso said.

22 Nov 2021

Marine News' Top Boats of 2021

Sea Change (Photo: All America Marine)

Sea Change - America’s first hydrogen powered ferrySWITCH Maritime’s new 70-foot passenger ferry Sea Change is navigating uncharted waters as the United States’ first zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell-powered, electric-drive ferry.The pioneering aluminum newbuild, constructed by Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), has been completed and was launched this summer, though permitting of hydrogen fuel systems for maritime vessels is still being worked out with the U.S. Coast Guard.“Legislation and laws for passenger safety did not exist yet for this type of vessel.

18 May 2021

Fratelli Neri Names Three New Tugs

(Photo: Damen)

On May 15, Fratelli Neri held a naming ceremony for three Damen RSD Tugs 2513 in Livorno, Italy. Two of the vessels, named Romito and Calafuria were built at Damen Shipyards Galati and were delivered to Fratelli Neri at the end of 2019. Both of these tugs offer 70 tonnes bollard pull in the configuration tractor tug.The latest addition to the company’s fleet has been named Gabriella Neri, for the wife of Chairman Piero Neri. Damen built the vessel at Damen Song Cam Shipyard and delivered her in Livorno in January this year.

19 Mar 2021

Sanmar Adds Two New Tugs

(Photo: Sanmar)

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered another vessel in its Delicay tug series—this time to its own fleet.Like its sister tugs, the the 25.3m x 12m x 6.1m Delicay Vlll is a Z-drive tractor tug built to Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd’s exclusive to Sanmar TRAktor-Z 2500SX design, created in partnership with the Turkish tug-builder and operator for both harbor ship handling and towing duties.Built at Sanmar Shipyards Altinova, the tug is powered by 2x 2100kW main engines, giving it a speed ahead of around 12 knots and 75 tonnes of bollard pull.

18 Mar 2021

South Port New Zealand Orders Tug from Damen

(Photo: Damen)

Damen Shipyards Group said it has booked an order from South Port New Zealand for the delivery of a Damen Azimuth Tractor Tug (ATD) 2412. The vessel, with 65 tonnes bollard pull, will replace an older vessel with 35 tonnes bollard pull, bringing the port’s total bollard pull capability up to 105 tonnes.South Port has selected an ATD due to its ability to undertake indirect towage and for the vessel’s excellent maneuverability and power, according to Damen.Due to Damen’s practice of building standardized vessels in series and for stock…

08 Apr 2021

Marine News' Top Boats of 2020

General MacArthur (Photo: Callan Marine)

This year, despite innumerable challenges and setbacks, a great number of new U.S.-flagged vessels made their way into service. In addition to Maid of the Mist's new electric tour boats James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla featured Wednesday, the newbuilds highlighted below are some of the most noteworthy to come out of U.S. shipyards in 2020.DredgerU.S. dredging contractors have been adding tonnage in a big way. This Spring, Callan Marine added a significant piece to the U.S. fleet with its new Jones Act cutterhead suction dredge (CSD) General MacArthur.

15 Oct 2020

Svitzer to Commence Operations in Emden, Germany

(Photo: Svitzer Europe)

Towage operator Svitzer Europe announced it will start a new towage operation in Germany’s third-largest North Sea port from January 1, 2021. To fully service customers at the seaport of Emden, Svitzer will deploy two tugboats: the Svitzer Valand, a tractor tug with 45 tons bollard pull and part of the organization’s existing European fleet, and the newly purchased Svitzer Vestri, an azimuth stern drive tug with 60 tons bollard pull. Vestri is a newbuild from Turkish shipbuilder Med Marine…

16 Jul 2020

Bisso Towboat Orders Tug at Main Iron Works

(Photo: Bisso Towboat)

Luling, La.-based Bisso Towboat said it has signed an agreement with Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works to begin construction of a new 6,008 BHP azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tractor tug. Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2020 with delivery expected in early fall of 2021.The EPA Tier 4 compliant tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 3,004 BHP each at 1800 RPM. The engines will drive two Schottel SRP 460 FP azimuth thrusters with 98.4″ diameter stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles.

08 Apr 2020

New Tug Delivered to Rimorchiatori Riuniti

Italia (Photo: Robert Allan Ltd.)

Genoa, Italy based Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group took delivery in February of a modified version of Robert Allan Ltd.'s TRAktor 2500-SX standard design from Turkih builder Sanmar Shipyards.The addition of Italia, a modern Z-drive tractor to their fleet could potentially signal a renewed interest in Z-drive tractor tugs for the group.Robert Allan Ltd. and Sanmar Shipyards worked with Rimorchiatori Riuniti to modify the design to suit the owner's requirements. Such modifications include rescue boat and davit on the foredeck…

07 Apr 2020

McAllister Takes Delivery of New Tug Eileen McAllister

Eileen McAllister will go to work in Port Everglades (Photo: McAllister Towing)

McAllister Towing announced Tuesday it has taken delivery of a newly built 6,770-horsepower shipdocking tug, Eileen McAllister, slated to enter service in Port Everglades, Fla.The 34th tractor tug in McAllister’s fleet, Eileen McAllister was built by Washburn & Doughty in Maine and set sail for its new home port following delivery on Monday.The 93- by 38-foot newbuild is powered by 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines with twin Schottel SRP 490 Z-drive units and Markey winches, achieving more than 84 metric tons during ABS bollard pull certification.

26 Mar 2020

Crowley Charters Newbuild Tug from Brusco

(Photo: Crowley)

Crowley Maritime Corp said Friday its marine services group has entered into a bareboat charter with Brusco Tug and Barge for an all new RApport-design tractor tug to serve Pacific Northwest and California ports, performing ship assist and harbor escort work.The vessel, which Crowley will rename Hercules after delivery next week, was designed by Robert Allan Ltd., and constructed by Diversified Marine in Portland, Ore., for Brusco. The 82-foot, 6,000-horsepower tug is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516E (2240kw@1,800rpm) U.S. EPA Tier IV-compliant engines.

02 Mar 2020

Sanmar Sells Delicay VI to Rimorchiatori

Rimorchiatori Riuniti has has acquired an azimuth tractor tug from Sanmar Shipyards to boost its operations in the port of Genoa, ItalyThe 25-m tug was upgraded, renamed Italia and deployed to provide towage services in Genoa.Sanmar had delivered a RAmparts 2400SX Class ASD Tug to the Genoese group back in 2014 and that tug has been re-named as Turchia which is currently giving towage service in the port of Genoa.Italia is an azimuth tractor tug, TRAktor-Z 2500SX designed by the distinguished Canadian designers “Robert Allan Ltd.” Principal dimensions are 25m by 12m and she can achieve 70 tonnes of bollard pull by means of 2 x CAT 3516C…

27 Nov 2019

Caterpillar Supplies Engines for Tier 4 Tug

Bisso’s Tier 4 Final Tug, Andrew S (Photo: Caterpillar Marine)

Caterpillar Marine has supplied two Cat 3516E Tier 4 main engines to the Andrew S. The EPA Tier 4 Final and Subchapter M azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug was delivered to Bisso Towboat Co.Each engine generates 3,004 bhp at 1,800 rpm and a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system. At 6,008 bhp, Andrew S. is the most powerful Tier 4 tug on the Mississippi River.The Andrew S. measures 100’ x 38’ x 13.5’ and has an estimated bollard pull of 84 tons. Additional features of the tug include U.S.

20 Aug 2019

7000 HP, Tier IV McAllister Tug Arrives in Charleston

The CAPT. JIM MCALLISTER is named after James P. McAllister the legendary second-generation McAllister who joined the company in 1885. (CREDIT McAllister)

McAllister Towing is proud to announce the arrival of the tug CAPT. JIM MCALLISTER, the fourth in a series of four 100’ x 40’, 80 metric ton bollard pull tugboats. The tug is the 33rd tractor tug in McAllister’s fleet.The CAPT. JIM is powered by 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines with twin Schottel SRP4000FP units. Packed into her 100’ x 40’ hull is 6,770 horsepower. She achieved 82.50 metric tons during her ABS bollard pull certification and had a maximum pull of 83.70 tons. The CAPT. JIM joins her sister vessels, the CAPT.

06 May 2019

NBBB Delivers First Hybrid Tug

The Boat builders in Freeland, Washington, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) has successfully trialed and delivered Baydelta Maritime’s,  new 100’ x 40’ Delta Class Hybrid Tractor Tug.The Tug is the seventh tractor tug NBBB has built for Baydelta and its affiliated companies, but the first Hybrid, an exciting milestone for both NBBB and Baydelta.Baydelta CEO, Shawn Bennett said: "The Delta Teresa is a great addition to our fleet of the 100x40 90 ton tugs. Baydelta and Nichols Brothers have a long standing relationship, together creating what is widely recognized as the premier Harbor tug class”.The tug is powered by two (2) Caterpillar C3516 C Tier 3 diesel engines each rated at 1995 kW @ 1600 rpm and by two (2) 424kw electric motors.

14 Mar 2019

Sanmar Wins Tug Order

Tug boat builder and a tug boat manufacturer Sanmar Shipyards has been awarded contract for true tractor configuration tug with forward mounted thrusters by Rimorchiatori Riuniti in Italy."This will be sixth example of the Turkish specialist tug builder’s, exclusive Delicay design in barely a year since the first vessel of this type was delivered to New Zealand," said a press note.Designed by Robert Allan Ltd  of Vancouver, Canada, it is designated theTRAktor 2500-Z SX, it said.Having a 70 tonne bollard pull from a twin Caterpillar/Rolls-Royce diesel engine and azimuthing Z-drive thruster combination, this latest 25.30m x 12m vessel…

14 Feb 2019

Med Tier III Harbor Tug Powered by MAN

Image: P&O Reyser/MAN Energy Solutions.

MAN Energy Solutions won the contract to supply the engines for a new harbor tug in Spain, unique in that it is reportedly the first IMO Tier III compliant tug operating in the Mediterranean.P&O Reyser will operate the 27-m, 75T bollard-pull-rated Asymmetric Tractor Tug (ATT) in the Port of Barcelona, which is expected to enter service from mid-2020.The tug will feature 2 × MAN 12V175D MM, IMO Tier III engines, each rated at 2,220 kWm. The engines will be connected to FPP azimuth thrusters for propulsion…

10 Dec 2018

GREAT WORKBOATS: The Very Best 10 of 2018

MarineNews showcases the ten best of North America’s 2018 workboat deliveries. Domestic shipyard production is robust, innovative and getting greener. And, that translates into two kinds of ‘green.’As the domestic offshore energy support sector slowly awakens, other sectors have been happy to take the spotlight in its absence. As always, and if a hull was delivered in 2018, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For my part, I’m always excited when the U.S. boatbuilding sector can deliver for a foreign buyer. We’ve checked that box here. And, that’s because we can compete on price, quality and when we do…

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