New Moran tugs added to Brunswick port operations

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has announced the addition of the Shiney V Moran, the latest tugboat to join Moran Towing Company’s fleet operating at the GPA-operated Port of Brunswick.

The vessel will operate alongside the newly added Diane Moran, as part of ongoing efforts to boost the port’s capacity and support the handling of larger roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels, the authority said.

“These more powerful tugboats help prepare Colonels Island to better accommodate the 10,000-vehicle vessels expected to serve the US East Coast,” GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch said in a statement. “Moran’s growth complements our investments in vehicle storage, auto processing capability and a future fourth berth for roll-on/roll-off vessels.”

The two new tugs are equipped with 5,100-horsepower (3,800kW) engines and have a bollard pull of more than 60 tonnes. They join the Ann Moran, a 3,000-horsepower tug, already operating in Brunswick.

Moran Towing Company General Manager Joe Myatt cited their enhanced firefighting and escort capabilities as key operational improvements.

According to GPA, the Port of Brunswick handled more than 900,000 units of Ro-Ro cargo in 2024. The authority recorded 733 vessel calls at its Brunswick terminals last year, including 614 RoRo vessels. It also recently completed $262 million in capacity upgrades, including new warehousing and processing space.