These include a wide range of high-performance tugboats of various type, fireboats, crewboats, patrol craft, ferries, and barges. But it is in the towage sector that the company has become a world leader, with a reputation for innovation.

To celebrate this significant milestone in the development of RAL, the following review covers just a few of the new tugs due for completion during the first few months of 2005.

Among the vessels destined for European owners, the new escort tug Velox delivered recently by Spanish yard Astilleros Gondan to Ostensjo Rederi AS of Norway, is one of the most sophisticated. This vessel with its unusual hull form and novel design features is the subject of a vessel launch feature in this issue of MJ . Also from Spain is news that Union Naval Valencia has launched the first two of a series of three RAmparts 2400-A Class ASD tugs. Based on the same successful 'compact' hull form as the 24m tug Blackadder first built in New Zealand in 2003, In Italy, Cantieri Navali Termoli are making good progress on two AVT 27/60 class Voith tractor tugs for Rimorchiatori Riuniti of Genoa.

The first of these very compact, powerful harbour tugs is due for completion shortly. Further south, Fratelli Neri of Livorno is due to award a contract for the construction of a series of the new AZT 26/60 class tractor tugs with azimuthing propulsion systems. These tugs will serve various ports along the Mediterranean coast of Italy.

Turkey continues to be a centre for the construction of tugs to RAL designs. Sanmar Deniczilik of Istanbul is about to complete the second of two RAmparts 3200 class ASD tugs with a 67 tonne bollard pull. The first being the 32m Achille Onorato delivered in July 2004 to Rimorchiatori Sardi of Sardinia (Maritime Journal July 2004).

Sanmar are also building two more of the successful, economic, 25m twin-screw Dogancay class tugs, and two more 22m twin-screw Nehir class tugs, all to RAL designs.

Also in Turkey, Uzmar Uzmanlar of Izmir are building two ASD 30/65 class tugs for service in the Caspian Sea, due for delivery mid-year, and these will be followed by a series of customized RAmparts 3000 class tugs for Uzmar's own fleet. Med Marine of Istanbul is building a compact twin-screw tug of the TS 22/40 Class, and will shortly begin construction of the first of a series of the well-proven ASD 24/45 class vessel that has been built in considerable numbers throughout North and South America. Med Marine is also completing a RAmparts 2500 class tug for ARPAS.

One of the most high-profile projects in the Middle East coming to fruition shortly will be a multi-vessel contract for new ASD 36/70-E class tugs designed for IRSHAD, the marine operations arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. These powerful terminal/ escort tugs will serve ADNOC's port facilities throughout the Middle East, and will be the world's first dedicated ASD Escort tugs. The project is the result of an ongoing R&D program performed by RAL in conjunction with the Institute of Marine Dynamics in Newfoundland. The hull form of these tugs incorporates features designed to enhance indirect towing forces and high angle stability required in these demanding escort towing operations.

PSA Marine of Singapore continue to work with RAL, marketing the highly successful Z-Tech ASD tug designs to the world market. Following the delivery of the first two Z-Tech 6000 class tugs Indee and Pardoo to Teekay Shipping Ltd.

of Fremantle, Australia, PSA Marine placed additional orders for four more of the same class with Cheoy Lee Shipbuilders Ltd, of Hong Kong, for construction in their Hin Lee shipyard in the People's Republic of China. The first of this next pair, christened the Lamnalco Blackbird , has just been delivered to Lamnalco Ltd of the UAE for service in the Middle East.

As recently announced, RAL has been awarded the contract for new RAmparts 3200 class tugs for the Ningbo Port Group Ltd, marking the first time ever a Chinese Port Authority has gone outside of China for a new tug design ( MJ - January 2005).

Irving Shipbuilders East Isle Shipyard Division on Prince Edward Island continues to turn out ASD 30/60 class tugs for numerous international clients, with the 18th such vessel currently under construction. The Halifax shipyard is building a second ASD 33/70 tugs for Danish owner Nordane Shipping A/S.

RAL designs are continuing to grow in popularity in North and South America. Colle Towing in Mississippi are building a RAmparts 3000 tug for their own use and the Foss Rainier Shipyard in Oregon are constructing two more of their Dolphin class 4,670bhp ASD tugs for Foss Maritime LLC, following the successful delivery of the first of Mikioi class vessel to Hawaiian Tug & Barge in 2004. Also in Oregon, Diversified Marine Inc.

are building a further ASD 23/45 class tug for Brusco Tug & Barge, a sister ship to the Wynema Spirit built in 2002. The same yard has just completed two Ramparts 2500 Class tugs, the Tim Quigg , and John Quigg for Harley Marine Services, Inc Both are now successfully operating in Long Beach and San Francisco respectively.

Further south, REBRAS of Rio de Janeiro took delivery of three RAmparts 3000 ASD tugs last year, including the Rebras Jau , and are now preparing to build a series of Ramparts 2500 vessels.

Astromaritima Navegacao SA, also of Rio de Janeiro, have also accepted two 3,420kW versions of the RAmparts 3000 class over recent months. Sulnorte of Brazil have just completed construction of the ASD 24/40 tug, S/N Jaua , for their own fleet. Two ASD 26/50 tugs are also under construction in Manaus high upstream on the Amazon river.