US shipyards to build Rio Grande LNG tugs

Gulf LNG Tugs of Brownsville has signed contracts with two US yards for the construction of four tugboats which will serve NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG export facility in Texas.

Gulf LNG Tugs of Brownsville is a joint venture formed by Bay-Houston Towing, Moran Towing, and Suderman & Young Towing to provide tug services for RGLNG under a long-term tug services deal.

Following a bid process and in consultation with RGLNG, the JV selected Alabama-based Master Boat Builders and Texas-based Sterling Shipyard to each construct two tugs, according to a joint statement.

The partners did not reveal the price tag of the contract.

Each shipyard will construct two Z-Tech 30-80 tugboats designed by naval architect Robert Allan Ltd.

These tugs represent a proven workhorse in Gulf Coast ports, where affiliates of Gulf LNG Tugs already operate 10 of the same hull design, the statement said.

Also, the tugboats will be classed by ABS, while the main propulsion engines are Caterpillar 3516 E, complying with EPA Tier-4 emission standards.

Main engines are connected to Schottel SRP 510 FP-Z drives fitted with 2.8-meter propellers.

The new tugboats will have an overall length of 98.5 feet (30 meters), beam of 42.7 feet (14.5 meters), and a bollard pull of 80 metric tonnes.

Additionally, each will be equipped with firefighting capabilities.

NextDecade took a final investment decision in July on the first three trains of its Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas and completed $18.4 billion project financing.

It awarded the $12 billion EPC contract to Bechtel.

Phase 1, with nameplate liquefaction capacity of 17.6 mtpa, has 16.2 mtpa of long-term binding LNG sale and purchase agreements.

These include deals with TotalEnergies, Shell, ENN, Engie, ExxonMobil, Guangdong Energy Group, China Gas Hongda Energy Trading, Galp, and also Itochu.

Most Popular

Excelerate’s FSRU arrives in Germany

Excelerate’s 138,000-cbm FSRU Excelsior has finally arrived in Germany, where it will start serving DET's second LNG import terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

Venture Global to introduce gas to tenth Plaquemines liquefaction block

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to introduce natural gas to the tenth liquefaction block at the Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana as part of the plant’s commissioning process.

Woodside assessing tariff impact on Louisiana LNG

Australian LNG player Woodside is assessing the impact of recent US tariffs and other trade measures on its Louisiana LNG project, according to Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill.

More News Like This

NextDecade, TotalEnergies seal 20-year LNG SPA

French energy giant TotalEnergies has exercised its option to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the planned fourth train at NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas.

NextDecade, Aramco seal 20-year LNG SPA

Saudi Arabia’s energy behemoth Aramco has signed a 20-year deal to buy liquefied natural gas from NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Texas.

US FERC issues draft supplemental EIS for NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement for NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas. The regulator said that it continues to conclude that approval of the project would result in "less than significant impact."

NextDecade: US court revises FERC’s order for Rio Grande LNG

US LNG firm NextDecade said that the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia had revised its August 2024 judgment against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order for the first five liquefaction trains at the Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas.