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Moran expands fleet with low-emissions newbuilds
ABS-class escort tugs are handling large container ships in US East Coast ports and gas carriers in Gulf Coast LNG terminals
Moran Towing Corp has rapidly expanded its US tugboat fleet in the past two years in response to the rising demand for handling larger ships, especially ultra-large container ships and LNG carriers.
The Connecticut-headquartered owner has taken delivery of seven new azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tugs into its commercial fleet and another into its joint venture with other owners since July 2024.
Four were delivered in H2 2024 and the other four in 2025, with several more under construction in what is one of the largest fleet renewals in the company’s 165-year history.
Moran has evolved over the decades into one of the largest marine service providers in the US. Its operations include ship assist, transporting liquid and dry bulk cargo and servicing LNG terminals, plus environmental and industrial services, commercial diving and marine construction.
As of the end of September 2025, Moran’s ship-assist fleet supports operations in 17 ports and seven LNG terminals, and its nine oceangoing liquid barges and five dry bulk barges operate within the US Jones Act trade area.
Moran has more than 1,900 employees across approximately 50 locations in North America. Its latest newbuilding campaign started with shipyard contracts signed in 2021 when it became clear a fleet enhancement programme was required to meet higher power and lower emissions requirements for harbour tugs in the US.
Since 2021, Moran has added 10 ASD tugs, increasing its fleet to more than 76 ship-assist tugs, which includes 56 ASD tractor tugs, making it one of the largest harbour-based fleets in North America.
Moran continually invests in its fleet and, as of September 2025, it has seven tugs under construction. Six are designated for its joint ventures; four are for Moran’s managed joint ventures. One will be added to its wholly owned commercial fleet, with deliveries expected into late 2026.
In Q2 2025, Moran welcomed William E Moran to its fleet operating on the US East Coast, followed in Q3 2025 with the delivery of Newt Moran and Thomas C Moran. All three 28-m tugboats were built by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Alabama, to Robert Allan Ltd’s RApport 2800 design with more than 80 tonnes of bollard pull. They have a beam of 12 m and 5,050 kW of power coming from two high-speed diesel engines driving twin Z drives.
“These tugs represent a leap forward in our ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class maritime solutions,” says Moran chief operating officer for maritime services Sean Perreault.
“We are building these new vessels with a clear purpose: to make things better for our crews, customers and communities,” he tells Riviera.
“By teaming up with trusted partners, we are incorporating innovative, sustainable technologies that not only meet our customers’ unique needs but also keep our crews safe and comfortable.
Each Caterpillar-manufactured 3516E engine on these tugs is linked to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit to reduce NOx emissions, for US Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 compliance and to attain ABS notation LEV for low-emissions vessel.
“Through our collaboration with Master Boat Builders and Robert Allan, we have leveraged our design expertise to create vessels that deliver exceptional performance and compliance while offering the adaptability to meet our customers’ evolving demands,” says Mr Perreault.
According to automatic identification system (AIS) data, William E Moran, Thomas C Moran and Newt Moran are active at Moran’s New York and New Jersey operations.
In 2024, Moran welcomed Paul T Moran and George James Moran after their construction by Washburn & Doughty Associates in East Boothbay, Maine, to a design by Crowley Engineering Services with 60 tonnes of bollard pull. According to AIS, Paul T Moran is operating in Norfolk, Virginia, and George James Moran is in Baltimore, Maryland. These 26-m tugs have a beam of 11 m and 3,800 kW of power.
In Q4 2024, Mary Jane Moran entered service in Port Arthur, Texas, and Patricia B Moran started in Norfolk after their construction by Master Boat Builders with an overall length of 26-m, a beam of 11 m, a bollard pull of 60 tonnes and 3,800 kW of power.
These tugs have twin Caterpillar 3512E engines linked to an SCR for EPA Tier 4 compliance, driving two Kongsberg US 205 Z-drives for speeds of up to 12 knots.
These newbuilds are low-emissions, high-power tractor tugs built to handle large ships with ABS class LEV and escort notations, compliance with US Coast Guard sub-chapter M, and a high-performance hawser winch from Markey Machinery on their bow with superior line handling capabilities.
“We believe operational excellence starts with supporting our crews,” says Moran senior vice president for ship assistance Ron Droop. “These new vessels bring advanced technology and performance that help us work safer, smarter, and more efficiently on the water, while delivering for our customers.”
In Q1 2025, Gulf LNG Tugs took delivery of Bahia Gulf after the 30-m tug was completed by Master Boat Builders. This company is a joint venture between Moran and Houston, Texas-headquartered Bay-Houston Towing and Suderman & Young Towing.
Bahia Gulf was built to Robert Allan’s Z Tech design and ABS class with a bollard pull capacity of more than 85 tonnes, FFV1 fire-fighting certification, and LEV notations. Its propulsion includes two Caterpillar 3516 E diesel engines, compliant to EPA Tier 4 requirements, with total power of 5,220 kW, driving two Kongsberg US-255 Z drives, each with a fixed-pitch propeller in a nozzle. This tug was outfitted with a Markey DESF-48-100 electric, class III hawser winch.
Bahia Gulf is part of a series of eight tugboats ordered under this joint venture from US facilities Sterling Shipyard and Master Boat Builders, all being built to two Robert Allan designs. Other vessels in this series are expected to be delivered within the next 18 months.
Moran acquires Bisso Towboat
Moran Towing Corp has acquired Louisiana-headquartered Bisso Towboat to increase its fleet of tugs operating in southern US states. This transaction provides Moran with a fleet of azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tugboats that assist and dock ships at terminals along the lower Mississippi River.
Founded in 1890 in New Orleans, Bisso operates 11 tugboats including Mr Brian which entered service at the end of 2024 after its construction by Main Iron Works in Houma, Louisiana.
“Bisso has deservedly earned a reputation as a high-quality operator,” says Moran Towing chief executive and president Ted Tregurtha.
“This acquisition reflects our commitment to serve the growing needs of New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River communities where we [will] operate for decades to come.”
Bisso provides services for ships navigating between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Baton Rouge. For the Moran acquisition, Bisso was represented by Legacy Capital and Phelps, Dunbar.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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