NBBB to build four 90-ton BP tractor tugs for Foss Maritime

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB), Freeland, Wash. was contracted to build four new 90-ton bollard pull tractor tugs for Foss Maritime, Seattle. The contract has an option for six additional tugs and marks the first agreement between the two companies,

The 100’x 40′ Z-drive tractor tugs will be built to design developed by Jensen Maritime Consultants, and to Coast Guard Subchapter M regulatory standards, with ABS loadline certification, and UWILD notation.

The vessels will be powered by a pair of Tier 4 MTU series 4000 main engines connected to Rolls-Royce US255 azimuth thrusters. The tugs will be equipped by Markey deck winches.

The four tractor tugs will operate on the West Coast handling merchant vessels in ports and harbors. The vessels will be equipped with condition-based monitoring for the Z-drives and main engines.

The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2020-2021.

NBBB has over 50 years’ experience in vessel construction, repair and conversion and an extensive portfolio of tug construction, the company said.