Gulf LNG Tugs welcomes new tug at Texas terminal

Gulf LNG Tugs of Port Arthur has taken delivery of Jill, a 28-m harbour tug built for handling gas carriers at a Texan export terminal.

Master Boat Builders built the ABS-class tug with a beam of 12 m and 85 tonnes of bollard pull for this joint venture between US owners Bay-Houston Management, Bay Towing, Moran Towing and Suderman & Young Towing.

Jill is the sixth vessel that the Coden, Alabama-headquartered shipbuilder has constructed to Robert Allan Ltd’s Rapport 2800 design and the second specifically for Gulf LNG operations.

The partnership operates at four LNG terminals along the US Gulf Coast and has more than 400 years of combined experience in ship assistance and towage services.

“By combining our shipyard’s craftsmanship with the operational expertise held by Gulf LNG, we have delivered a vessel that is not just a milestone in a series, but a powerhouse designed to meet the highest standards of safety and performance in the industry,” said Master Boat Builders president Garret Rice.

It has deck machinery ready to escort, tow and manoeuvre gas carriers in Port Arthur and an ABS-classed FiFi1 firefighting system to enhance safety during terminal support operations.