VESSEL REVIEW | Tugtranco 01 – ASD tug for ship assist duties at Vietnam's Hai Phong Port

Hai Phong Port Towing and Transport (HP Tugtranco) brought the newly built tug Tugtranco 01 into operation at Tan Vu Terminal at the Port of Hai Phong in Vietnam on May 17, 2026. The ASD tug was built to help large vessels navigate into and out of the port, particularly its deepwater facilities at Lach Huyen.

HP Tugtranco, a member company of the Port of Hai Phong, described the 5,000hp (3,700kW) newbuild as its first ASD tug and the most powerful vessel in its fleet. The Port of Hai Phong also identified the addition as its first deployment of an ASD tug.

Tugtranco 01 has a steel hull, an LOA of 31.87 metres (104.6 feet), a beam of 11.6 metres (38.1 feet), a depth of five metres (16 feet), and a draught of 3.5 metres (11 feet).

Her main machinery comprises two Caterpillar engines, each rated at 1,864 kW (2,500 hp). The engines are paired with Schottel azimuthing thrusters. The operator said the propulsion arrangement provides 360-degree manoeuvrability.

Built for channel and coastal operation

The project combined a higher main engine rating than the operator’s previous tugs with a propulsion arrangement new to its fleet. Its stated purpose is to meet demand from large container ships, specialised vessels, and the international shipping services using the Hai Phong gateway port area.

The vessel’s specified work also includes berthing and unberthing assistance. Her operating area covers domestic waters, including port approaches and coastal areas.

The operator’s project description also included towing distressed vessels or those with restricted manoeuvrability. Supporting vessels that have been newly constructed at local shipyards is also part of the intended workload.

Also outfitted for emergency response

The operator said the vessel also incorporates systems for maritime safety, pollution prevention, emergency standby, and search and rescue support in line with applicable technical requirements. Three water monitors are installed on the foredeck and just aft of the wheelhouse to provide 360 degrees of external firefighting coverage.

Song Thu Corporation led the engineering, procurement and construction contract through a consortium with Vitechco. The design was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Military Ship Design, an agency under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence.

Design approval was subsequently issued by the Vietnam Register.