Conrad to build four Tier 4 tugs for Young Brothers

Stan Tug 3711 2 14 300x211

The following is the text of a news release from Foss Maritime Co.:

(HONOLULU) — Young Brothers Ltd., Hawaii's largest inter-island cargo service provider, and Conrad Shipyard, a Louisiana-based company, have signed a contract to construct four new tugs. The nearly $80 million investment will support Young Brothers’ on-time service, reliability and efficiency. The first tug will be delivered in the first quarter of 2018, and the fourth by the first quarter of 2019.

The new tugs will improve Young Brothers’ ability to provide regular cargo service to island communities and enhance service through lower maintenance, less down time, better tow speeds, greater operating efficiencies, and lower environmental impacts.

“Our investment in these new tugs will directly support and further our commitment to frequent, reliable, affordable and universal service for decades into the future,” said Young Brothers President Glenn Hong.

The 6,000 horsepower, 123-by-36.5-foot vessels are designed to match with Young Brothers’ fleet of modern high-capacity barges (delivered from 2007 to 2010).

“The new contract is a tribute to the extraordinary skills and coordination of the parties as well as our joint commitment to quality, craftsmanship and developing a vessel suited to the needs and demands of the Hawaii service,” said Conrad Shipyard President and CEO Johnny Conrad.

The four new tugs will constitute the core of the company’s towing capacity for their 35-year life expectancy. Young Brothers worked in conjunction with its parent company, Foss Maritime, and the naval architects in Foss’ Technical Services Department to research various tug hull designs, engines and towing equipment options. It was through this collaboration that Young Brothers was able to ensure that the latest advances in safety, environmental protection and crew habitability were incorporated into the tug design.

The Damen-designed vessels will be powered by General Electric 8L250MDC EPA Tier 4 emissions-compliant exhaust gas recirculation engines.

These new American built tugs will be known as the Kapena class of ocean towing vessels. “The Kapena class, or captain class, celebrates the incredible seamanship of Hawaiian navigators,” said Hong. “Young Brothers will honor their skills and innovations by naming each of the four new tugs after their former captains.” The tugs will be home-ported on the neighbor island ports, underscoring the company’s service commitments to Hawaii’s communities.

By Professional Mariner Staff