(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) cut steel Wednesday for the first of four advanced escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine. Attending the ceremony were key members of Saltchuk’s leadership team. The high-performance vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026.
“Our team is excited to begin construction on these state-of-the-art escort tugs for Saltchuk,” said Joey D’Isernia, chairman and CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. “We are confident these vessels will set a new standard for performance, providing exceptional service for Pacific Ocean operations.”
“Saltchuk could not ask for a better partner than ESG in building our next generation of harbor tugboats,” said Jason Childs, Saltchuk Marine’s president and CEO. “The improved physical and environmental performance of these four vessels set a new standard for tugboat design that will positively impact the marine industry and American commerce for the next several decades. The project’s progress with ESG’s leadership has been flawless in the initial phases.”
This new contract launches Saltchuk Marine’s comprehensive fleet renewal project, with the four escort tugs set to bolster West Coast port operations while meeting stringent EPA Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) environmental standards. Saltchuk Marine is the parent company of Foss Maritime.
Vessel specifications
Length, overall – 84 feet (excluding fenders)
Breadth, molded – 42 feet
Depth, molded – 14 feet
Draft, navigation – 18 feet 7 inches
Accommodations – Eight people
Speed, ahead – 12 knots
Bollard pull, minimum – 95 short tons (86.2 MT)
Main engines – Caterpillar 3516E, EPA Tier 4, 3,500 hp (2,610 kW) at 1,800 rpm
Thrusters – Schottel RudderPropeller SRP 510
Hawser winch – Markey Machine DEPGF-52, 75HP, single drum class II
– Eastern Shipbuilding Group
