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

Yang Ming books LNG-powered containerships in South Korea

Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport has decided to order LNG dual-fuel container vessels from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean as part of its ongoing fleet optimization plan.

Sabah to take stake in Petronas’ third FLNG

SMJ Energy, owned by the Sabah government, has signed a heads of agreement with Malaysian energy giant Petronas to take a 25 percent stake in the latter's third floating LNG production unit.

Japan’s LNG imports drop in June

Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports dropped by 2.8 percent in June compared to the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the country’s Ministry of Finance.

More News Like This

NextDecade, Bechtel agree $9 billion EPC deals for two Rio Grande LNG trains

US LNG firm NextDecade and compatriot Bechtel have finalized EPC contracts worth $9.09 billion for the construction of the fourth and fifth trains and related infrastructure at the Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas.

Japan’s Jera seals US LNG supply deals

Japan's power firm and LNG trader Jera has signed 20-year agreements to buy up to 5.5 million tonnes per year of LNG from the United States. The deals include an SPA with Commonwealth LNG and the previously announced SPA with NextDecade, as well as heads of agreements with Sempra Infrastructure and Cheniere.

NextDecade, Jera seal 20-year LNG SPA

Japan's Jera has signed a 20-year deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the planned fifth train at NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas.

NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG secures approval to build tug berth

NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG has secured approval from the US FERC to build a tug berth at the site of its LNG export terminal in Texas.