First steel cut for Saltchuk Marine's new escort tugs

Florida-based the Eastern Shipbuilding Group has cut the first steel to be used in the construction of the first vessel in a new series of four escort tugs ordered by Saltchuk Marine.

The tugs will be built to a design by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. Each will have an LOA of 84 feet (26 metres), a moulded beam of 42 feet (13 metres), a draught of 18.58 feet (5.66 metres), and accommodation for eight crewmembers. Two Caterpillar 3516E 3,500hp (2,600kW) engines will drive Schottel rudder propellers to deliver a bollard pull of 86.2 tonnes and a speed of 12 knots.

The vessels will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St Joe facilities with delivery scheduled for 2026.

Following delivery, the new tugs will be operated by Saltchuk Marine in support of clients on the US West Coast. The vessels' propulsion systems will comply with US EPA Tier IV and California Air Resources Board environmental requirements.