The shipbuilder in Coden, Alabama, announced the launch of Jill in a statement on Monday.
According to Master Boat Builders, Jill is the sixth and final vessel in the Rapport 2800 tugboat series designed by Robert Allan and the last of two identical vessels designed specifically for Gulf LNG operations.
With an overall length of 92 feet (28 meters), a beam of 40 feet, and a bollard pull capacity of more than 85 metric tons, each tugboat will be equipped with firefighting capabilities that meet ABS Fire Fighting Vessel 1 (FFV1) classification.
Master Boat Builders expects to deliver both of the tugs in the first quarter of 2026.
In September 2024, Gulf LNG Tugs of Port Arthur signed contracts with two US yards to construct four tugboats designed to serve Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG export facility.
Besides Master Boat Builders, Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches, Texas, is also building two tugs.
Gulf LNG Tugs of Port Arthur is a joint venture formed by Bay-Houston Towing, Moran Towing, and Suderman & Young Towing.
This deal marked the fifth LNG terminal along the Gulf Coast for the Gulf LNG Tugs group, the largest provider of LNG terminal services in North America.
In September last year, Sempra Infrastructure took a final investment decision on the second phase of the Port Arthur LNG project.
Including the first 13 mtpa phase, for which Sempra Infrastructure took FID in March 2023, the facility will have a total capacity of about 26 mtpa.
