Australian shipbuilder Strategic Marine has broken new ground by winning a contract to build a 23.9m new generation compact tug – the first tugboat signing in the company’s history.
The vessel, which has a 60 ton bollard pull, has been ordered by the of – another breakthrough since the Port becomes Strategic Marine’s first client.
The steel vessel, which will have a deadweight of 105 tons and a free-running speed of 12 knots, will be powered by a Voith Water Tractor. These propulsion systems have become a byword for safety, reliability and precision in ship-handling and escort applications, with 800 Voith tugs currently operating in 120 ports worldwide.
Strategic Marine, which has built its reputation on high performance aluminium patrol boats and offshore service vessels, won its first contract to build steel-hulled vessels earlier this year from ’s Marfield Limited.
The new generation tug and the Marfield order for two 143m steel dive support vessels will be constructed at Strategic Marine’s new 136,500sqm Vietnamese shipyard located in Vung Tau, a facility fully equipped to build steel boats.
The yard is also currently building the base pontoon for the AUD$62 million Floating Dry Dock on order from the Australian Marine Complex at in , four 20m landing craft, and 40 12m offshore service vessels.