Dennis Moran is a 2022 built tug and the newest to the Moran Towing fleet (Source: Moran)
November 24, 2022by Martin Wingrove
Moran Towing Corp is investing in its fleet of low-emission dockside tugs by ordering two vessels from a US shipyard
Master Boat Builders has been awarded a contract to build two tugboats at its Coden, Alabama shipyard for delivery in 2024 for Moran Towing, headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut.
They are built to designs by naval architect and marine engineering firm Crowley Engineering Services to meet U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations and are ABS classified.
The new tugs have an overall length of 26.2 m, a width of 11 m and a bollard pull of more than 55 tons.
This comes from a powertrain consisting of two Caterpillar-manufactured Cat 3512E main engines that meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 emissions standards to minimize emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
Each diesel engine will produce around 1,900 kW and will power a Kongsberg US 205S thruster with a fixed pitch propeller in a single nozzle.
On the foredeck of each tug is a Markey Machinery ship towing DEPC-48 bow winch.
Moran Towing has extensive coast-to-coast operations in the United States, leveraging its diverse fleet to provide vessel towing, marine bulk transport, LNG support operations, salvage and environmental remediation services.
The addition of these new tugs will allow Moran to expand and modernize its fleet in the United States. The deal with Master Boat Builders could lead to more work in the future.
“We hope this new contract will lead to future opportunities for collaboration between the two companies,” said Sean Perreault, Moran Towing’s vice president of engineering services.
“While we have an ongoing commitment to our traditional suppliers, demand from our customers has given us the opportunity to work with new partners that we hope will grow into long-term relationships.”
Moran Towing used Washburn & Doughty Associates, based in East Boothbay, Maine, to build powerful tractor tow trucks for US East Coast operations.
its most recent completion, Dennis Moran Delivered earlier this year, the Georgia Ports Authority is assisting the Georgia Ports Authority in berthing, towing and handling large vessels at state terminals.
It features two main Cat 3512E engines that meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards and a total power output of 3,800 kW. Dennis Moran is a sister tug built until 2021 Wyatt Moran and Andrew Moran.