Tugboat contract for Chesapeake Shipbuilding

Work has already begun on what will be the seventh oceangoing tug built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp., Salisbury, MD, for Vane Brothers, Baltimore, MD, in just over five years.

The 94 ft x 32 ft tugboat, designated Hull 105, will be nearly identical to the previous six tugboats built for Vane Brothers. Propulsion power will be supplied by two 1,500 hp Caterpillar 3512 main engines. On deck, the tug will have a single drum hydraulic winch supplied by JonRie. Similar to the previous tugs, the new boat will have comfortable accommodations for seven crew members.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding has made significant investments to its shipyard to increase its production capacity and efficiency. Most of the construction of the tug will be performed in the Production Building, before its is moved and launched into Maryland’s Wicomico River.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding is also constructing the upscale river cruise boat Queen of the Mississippi, scheduled to start sailing on the Mississippi River starting in the summer of 2012.

December 20, 2011