Tug News Roundup: Focus on Canadian Designs with Global Deliveries and Orders

• Recent tug deliveries include vessels for the Australian and Egyptian markets.
• Polestar Maritime has ordered two tugs from Cochin Shipyard in India.
• Ultratug Colombia has signed a contract for a new 24-metre harbour tug.
• Svitzer is set to receive three new Brazilian-designed tugs soon.
• Svitzer Australia has welcomed Svitzer Barrington to Newcastle.
• The Egyptian Navy’s new escort tug features advanced design.
• Svitzer has ordered its first fully electric tug from Turkey.
• Rimorchiatori Napoletani has received the first of four new tugs.

Highlights of Recent Tug Deliveries and Orders

This week’s tug news highlights several significant deliveries and orders, particularly focused on design innovations from Canada. Among the notable achievements, an Australian towage company and the Egyptian Navy both welcomed their latest tug vessels. Meanwhile, new orders from regions such as India, Brazil, and Colombia showcase a growing interest in robust, Canadian-designed tug boats.

Polestar Maritime Places New Order with Cochin Shipyard

Polestar Maritime has turned to India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for its latest order of two 70-tonne bollard pull tugs. These new builds follow an earlier arrangement in which Polestar made a commitment for three additional tugs from Udupi-CSL, CSL’s subsidiary. Notably, these vessels will be constructed using a design by Robert Allan Ltd, emphasizing the continuing collaboration between these firms.

Various Orders from Ultratug and Svitzer

In Colombia, Ultratug has signed a contract for a 24-metre harbour tug again based on Robert Allan’s design. Scheduled to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026, this vessel will join another tug under construction for Ultratug’s Mexican operations. Meanwhile, Svitzer is expanding its Brazilian operations with the construction of three tugs specifically designed to meet the demands of the local market.

New Tugs Enhance Operations in Australia and Egypt

Bringing attention back to Australia, Svitzer recently introduced Svitzer Barrington, a new harbour tug now operational in Port of Newcastle. This tug, measured at 32 metres in length, boasts impressive capabilities including a bollard pull of 81 tonnes and a top speed of 14.4 knots. Additionally, the Egyptian Navy was proud to take delivery of Ras Alhekma, a 32.7-metre escort tug featuring advanced design elements for enhanced operational performance.

Advent of Electric Tug and New Additions to Italian Fleet

In an exciting development for sustainability, Svitzer took delivery of what is heralded as its first fully electric tug. This innovative vessel, measuring 25.4 metres and featuring significant battery capacity, is set to redefine efficiency in towage operations. Lastly, Rimorchiatori Napoletani in Italy has welcomed Portosalvo, a twin Z-drive tug which is just the first of a promising series expected to join the fleet in the coming years.

This week’s updates in the tug industry reflect significant movements in design and manufacturing, particularly with Canadian influence seen across various new builds and orders. Companies like Polestar Maritime, Ultratug, Svitzer, and Rimorchiatori Napoletani continue to lead with notable expansions and innovative designs. The progress towards electric options and enhanced performance measures signifies a clear trend towards modern solutions in marine operations.