Eastern Shipbuilding to Build Four Z-Tech Tugs

Eastern Shipbuilding, Suderman & Young Towing Company and Bay Houston Towing Company have entered into contracts to construct four new Robert Allan (RAL) Z-Tech 2400 class terminal and escort tugs at Eastern’s Panama City, Florida facilities.

G & H Towing will provide the onsite representation for both owners the owners’ agent during the engineering, construction and delivery phases of these contracts. At delivery, G & H Towing will operate each vessel as it has in the past. Since 1934, it is one of the oldest and most progressive towing companies on the Texas Gulf Coast. G & H Towing operates an outstanding fleet of over 30 harbor tugs with state-of-the-art equipment. They operate harbor tugs in the largest ports in the United States Gulf Coast with operations in Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Corpus Christi and Freeport.

Robert Allan of Vancouver, B.C. will be providing the Z-Tech 2400 class terminal and escort tugs design and engineering. G & H Towing's fleet currently consists of eight Z-Tech tugs in operation. 

Each new Z-Tech 2400 features the following characteristics:
Dimensions (Overall): 80’-0”x 38’-3”x 15’-9”
Total Horsepower: 5,150 HP @ 1,600 RPM
Main Engines: (2) Caterpillar 3516C (B rating) Tier 3 marine propulsion diesel engines
Main Propulsion: (2) Schottel Model SRP 1215FP in Nozzles Z-Drives
Main Generators: (2) John Deere 4045AFM85 Tier 3, 99kW 480V @ 1800RPM marine diesel generator sets
Hawser Winch: (1) Markey Machinery Fairleader 50HP Electric
Hawser Winch, Model DEPCF-48S, 36” wide Drum Mid-drum brake holding capacity 300,000lbs
Classification: ABS ?A1, Towing Vessel, AMS and Escort Service
ABS Loadline (SoC), Statement of Compliance
Flag: United States of America

Eastern Shipbuilding is very pleased adding these new clients and contracts to its order book. Each new contract continues Eastern’s long term commitment and history of being one of the most successful U.S. shipbuilders in the marine shipbuilding industry. Eastern will continue to provide better services and grow its facilities along with its strong workforce of men and women who are always eager for the next new construction, conversion or repair challenge.

Eastern Shipbuilding has constructed twenty-one Z-drive tugs of similar size and complexity for several customers in the United States. These new contracts maintain Eastern’s reputation for constructing and delivering vessels on-time and on-budget, and as one of the largest Z-drive tug new construction shipyards in North America.