A Merseyside company, Warbreck Engineering, has launched the first tug to be built for many years at the former McTay Marine shipyard at Bromborough. The 48 gt vessel, designated ‘AWB41’, is one of a series of four tugs to be built for the British Army under sub-contract from VT Halmatic. The remaining trio will be completed during 2008 and it is reported that the vessels will be based at the Marchwood Military Port in Southampton.

Rimorchiatori Riuniti of Genoa, Italy has commissioned naval architects Robert Allan Ltd to design a new Voith powered offshore support and escort tug to add to their growing fleet of versatile tugs. This latest vessel, designated an  AVT 36/70 E, will be the second of a pair of almost identical tugs to be constructed by Astilleros Armon in Navia, Spain. Both 36.65m tugs will be suitable for a wide range of duties including harbour towage and ship handling, coastal towing, salvage and escort operations The second vessel of the pair will also be equipped for heavy duty anchor handling.

A pair of MaK 8M25 diesel engines will generate a total of 7,174 bhp to power Voith 32R5-265-2 cycloidal propellers in tractor configuration. This combination expected to deliver a bollard pull of 70 tons and a free running speed of not less than 13.5 knots. An indirect escort steering force is estimated at 110 tons at 10 knots.

Irish tug operators Sinbad Marine Services of Killybegs, a small but developing company founded in 1980, has ordered a Damen Shoalbuster 2609. Classed by Bureau Veritas for unrestricted navigation, the tug will be very similar to the ‘Marineco Toomai’, the 26m Shoalbuster owned by Marineco UK Ltd and exhibited at Seawork in June. Caterpillar 3508 TBA main engines will be installed, generating a total of 2,200 bhp, to give the vessel a 30 ton bollard pull and top speed of 11 knots. Representing an investment of €4.2m, the tug has been financed locally through the Allied Irish Bank in Killybegs and will be delivered early in April 2008.