Brusco boosts fleet with new tugs for secondary ports

“To my knowledge, I am not aware of a 20-m ship-assist tug being built for the commercial market in recent years,” Mr Manning continued.

“The trend for new deliveries has been 80 tonnes bollard pull in 24-30 m hulls. While I believe that trend will continue, I also believe the RAscal fills an emerging niche in secondary ports.”

He says these ports need modern tugs that meet US Coast Guard chapter Sub-M requirements instead of older secondhand vessels.

“Historically, secondary markets have been where tugboats go to die,” says Mr Manning. “Old tonnage in these ports are costing significantly more to maintain in a post Sub-M environment. Additionally, tugs have roughly doubled in cost over the last few years and until the last year, operators have been deferring newbuilds for primary ports.”

He adds newbuild RAscal-series tugs are more fuel efficient, “compact, powerful and cost-effective.”

Rascal and Rowdy have accommodation for four crew with two double staterooms, galley and lounge, bow and stern fendering and a Markey Marine DEPC-42 ship-towing winch.

International Tug & Salvage is preparing the annual TugWorld Annual Review for 2024, an exclusive and exhaustive summary of the key tugboat deliveries from around the world. For your newbuild tug to be considered for inclusion in TugWorld Annual Review 2024, please contact ITS editor Martyn Wingrove: martyn.wingrove@rivieramm.com

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