New Terminals and Fleet Modernisation Drive Global Tugboat Orders

A wave of tugboat newbuilding orders has emerged over the past six months as owners modernise fleets and expand operations in response to planned new energy and container terminals. Major operators including Boluda Towage, Svitzer and SAAM Towage are investing worldwide, alongside numerous independent and regional players. Shipyards across Brazil, China, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the US and Vietnam received orders between March and August 2026, reflecting broad global demand for towage capacity.

 

The Driver of Demand

 

New infrastructure is fuelling tugboat orders. The past six months saw a plethora of newbuilding orders. Owners are modernising their fleets. They are also expanding their operations. This responds to planned new energy and container terminals.

The demand spans different types of operator. Major owners are investing worldwide. These include Boluda Towage, Svitzer and SAAM Towage. Larger ships calling at harbours drive this need. Independent and regional players have also placed numerous orders.

 

The Global Spread

 

Orders were placed across many nations. Shipyards in eight countries received contracts. These spanned Brazil, China, India and the Netherlands. Spain, Turkey, the US and Vietnam also featured. This reflects the global nature of the demand.

Damen Shipyards secured multiple orders. It builds vessels in China, Vietnam and the Netherlands. It won orders from several owners. These included Boluda Towage and HaiSea Marine. The Qatari Naval Forces were also among its customers.

 

Brazil's Resurgence

 

Brazil is re-emerging as a tug-building nation. Owners ordered nearly 40 tugs from Brazilian yards. In August, one yard won a contract for six tugboats. These will support bunkering services. Another yard secured an order for four vessels.

Several established owners ordered in Brazil. Svitzer returned to a yard for two TRAnsverse tugboats. SAAM Towage contracted a group for four harbour tugs. Earlier, a yard won a contract for up to 18 inland tugboats. These will support Petrobras bunkering activities.

 

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Asian Shipbuilding Activity

 

China saw significant tug-building activity. Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard began several harbour tugs. It built four vessels for an Indonesian owner. It also built three anchor-handling tugs for a Singapore owner. It held multiple keel-laying ceremonies for various owners.

India's tug-building status has strengthened. Government investment and green port programmes drive this. Adani Group's Ocean Sparkle ordered four harbour tugs. Interest in electric-powered tugs has grown. Several owners ordered battery-electric tugs for future delivery.

 

The US and Contract Extensions

 

The US saw notable tug orders. Crescent Towing turned to a sister shipbuilding company. It ordered four tugs for delivery over three years. Green Tug Towing ordered four LNG terminal tugs. Bay-Houston Towing extended a contract for another terminal tug.

Some orders extended existing contracts. The Panama Canal Authority ordered 10 more tugboats. These feature hybrid propulsion. They were ordered from a Spanish shipyard. Such extensions reflect confidence in ongoing demand.

 

Significance of the Trend

 

The orders reflect broad industry growth. New terminals require towage support. Fleet modernisation drives further demand. Together these sustain a strong order flow. This benefits shipyards across multiple nations.

The trend also shows evolving priorities. Electric and hybrid propulsion feature prominently. Green port programmes influence orders. This reflects growing environmental focus in towage. The orders position owners for future terminal activity.