Marine Towing of Tampa (MTT) has contracted to build a 5,000-hp z-drive-style tugboat at the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine.
The new tug, 92 feet in length with Caterpillar power, will be similar in design to the new tugs Freedom and Liberty, recently constructed by the same shipyard for Boston Towing.
MTT now operates four tugs in the west Florida port, including two centerline z-drive vessels (ship-docking modules) and two conventional twin-screw vessels, according to Norman Atkins, director of operations. MTT and Seabulk Towing (formerly Hvide Marine) are the two primary ship-assist companies operating in Tampa. Former Hvide managers in Tampa and independent investors founded MTT in late 1999.
