Built by Damen Shipyards , to their ASD 3211 design, the 5310bhp vessels have exceptional fire-fighting capability and a bollard pull of 66.7 tonnes ahead and 62.6 tonnes astern. Named Castle Point and Stanford these first two vessels have taken up station at the Coryton terminal and will be joined by the third tug in June. The tugs are owned by BP and managed by Targe Towing Ltd .

Bukser & Berging (B&B) of Norway has placed an order with Moen Slip A/S of Kolvereid to build a new 37m ASD tug powered by two Wartsila 6R32 main engines of 2 x 2250kW (total 6,114bhp).

The tug is similar to a pair of ASDs already ordered by B&B for the Snovit lng contract and due for delivery next year along with a powerful escort tug. This further vessel will be delivered in February 2006 and be placed on the 'spot market' for coastal and short sea towage, offshore and terminal operation. The hulls and major steelwork for all three ASDs of this design will be constructed at the Riga Shipyard, in Latvia.

A new class of compact tractor tug, under construction for Rimorchiatori Riuniti Spa ofGenoa, is to have the first of a new design of Voith Schneider propulsion unit designated the size 30R5/245-2. The 5-blade unit will have a new optimised blade design, an improved rotor casing and new kinematics. Two such units will be fitted to the first of the new tugs which have an overall length of 26.85m and beam of 11.5m. Delivery is expected in June of this year.