Tug News Roundup: Canadian Designs Drive Global Orders

• Recent tug deliveries highlight a thriving maritime market.
• Polestar Maritime orders two tugs from Cochin Shipyard.
• Ultratug Colombia orders a new 24-metre harbour tug.
• Svitzer plans new tugs for operations in Brazil.
• Svitzer takes delivery of its first fully electric tug.

Tug Deliveries Showcase Global Design Influence

Recent tug deliveries spotlight the thriving market for maritime vessels, with a notable shipment made to an Australian towage firm alongside another to the Egyptian Navy. Now, it seems orders have also rolled in for new tugs set to operate in regions as diverse as India, Brazil, and Colombia. In a rather interesting twist, all five tugs featured this week were designed by the same Canadian company, Robert Allan Ltd, showcasing their robust design capabilities and widespread appeal in the tugboat industry.

Polestar Maritime Expands Fleet with New Order

Polestar Maritime, an Indian company, has just placed an order with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for two additional tugs, each with a bollard pull capacity of 70 tonnes. This new order comes right after a previous contract for three similar tugs, indicating Polestar’s growing ambitions in the maritime sector. Both these new vessels will be constructed in collaboration with Udupi-CSL, a subsidiary under the CSL umbrella, further solidifying their partnership.

Exciting Developments for Ultratug and Svitzer

In Colombia, Ultratug is stepping up its game, having signed a contract for a new harbour tug derived from a 24-meter design also crafted by Robert Allan Ltd. Expected on the docks in roughly three years—by the third quarter of 2026—this tug will join another vessel currently under production for Ultratug Mexico. Meanwhile, Svitzer is making waves in Brazil with a monumental order for three new tugs to expand its operations, aiming to support an increasing number of customers in the area.

This week’s tug news underscores the momentum in the tugboat industry, with significant deliveries and orders emphasizing the shared design principles of Canadian firm Robert Allan Ltd. From India’s Polestar Maritime ordering two more tugs to Ultratug Colombia adding a new harbour tug into their portfolio, it’s clear that the demand for innovative tugboat solutions is on the rise. With Svitzer also making strides in Brazil and Australia, the global landscape for tug operations appears to be evolving rapidly, adapting and expanding to meet the needs of today’s maritime challenges.