Strategic Marine bags first tug order

Australian shipbuilder Strategic Marine (SM) has broken new ground by winning a contract to build a 23.9 metre new generation compact tug, the first tugboat signing in the company?s history.

The vessel, which has a 60 tonne bollard pull, has been ordered by the Port of Napier, another breakthrough since this is SM?s first New Zealand client. The steel vessel, which will have deadweight of 105 tonnes and a free-running speed of 12 knots, will be powered by a Voith Water Tractor.

Strategic Marine, which has built its reputation on high performance aluminium patrol boats and offshore service vessels, won its first contract to build steel-hulled vessels earlier this year from Singapore?s Marfield Limited. The new generation tug and the Marfield order for two 143m steel dive support vessels will be constructed at SM?s new 136,500 m2 Vietnamese shipyard located in Vung Tau, a facility fully equipped to build steel vessels.

The yard is also currently building the base pontoon for the AUD$62 million floating dry dock on order from the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson in Western Australia, four 20m landing craft, and 40 12m offshore service vessels.

SM?s order book currently stands at more than $200 million, with most of those orders won in the past 18 months from clients in South East Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.