Towage provider Svitzer has signed a contract with Brazilian builder Estaleiro Rio Maguari for the construction of three new tugs. The company stated the investment is to expand its presence in Brazil, catering to both new and existing customers.
The three 23.2-metre tugs, designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd, will have a top speed of 13 knots and a bollard pull of over 70 tonnes. The vessels will also be equipped with Fifi-1 firefighting capabilities.
Arjen van Dijk, Managing Director for Svitzer Americas, said the newbuild program is a commitment to meet the "evolving" needs of the Brazilian market and will enhance the company's operational capacity. Daniel Reedtz Cohen, Svitzer's Managing Director for Brazil, added that the investment is driven by growth in the country's export sectors and the increasing number of ports and terminals under construction.