April 16, 2025
Shaver Transportation Co. is scheduled to take delivery of a new 79’x40’x17′ ship-assist and escort tug this summer, bringing more horsepower and capability to the Columbia River.
Shaver Transportation Co., Portland, Ore., is scheduled to take delivery of a new 79’x40’x17′ ship-assist and escort tug, Heather S, this summer, bringing more horsepower and capability to the Columbia River.
The Robert Allan Ltd.-designed RApport 2500 tug is being built by a pair of partnering Portland shipyards. Gunderson Marine & Iron constructed the hull and launched it in March, and Diversified Marine Inc. (DMI) will complete the vessel, including all outfitting.
“Shaver is always looking to add new technology and capabilities to our fleet,” said Jon Hellberg, the company’s VP of operations. “Adding another Tier 4 vessel was attractive as well as getting a new vessel with higher horsepower and bollard pull.”
The newbuild will be Shaver’s second Tier 4 tug, following the 8,400-hp, 112’x45’x21′ tractor tug Samantha S, built by DMI in 2018.
The Heather S’s two Caterpillar 3516E main engines will each deliver 3,500 hp at 1,800 rpm, powering Berg MTA 628 azimuth thrusters. The vessel will also feature 2,156-kW John Deere 6068AFM85 auxiliary engines and a Markey DEPC 52 electric hawser winch. The tug is expected to be able to reach a speed of 12 knots and provide a bollard pull of 100 tons. It will have 20,500 gals. fuel capacity and accommodations for six crew.
Hellberg said Shaver liked the RApport 2500 design after seeing others built by DMI. The first tug built in the U.S. to this design was constructed for Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc., Longview, Wash., and entered service in 2020 under long-term charter to Crowley, Jacksonville, Fla., in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“The Robert Allan design is proven — a good hull shape for efficiency and performance,” said Hellberg. “Its power, compact design, maneuverability, and great visibility from the pilothouse make it a great option for ship assist … And it fits the bill for the Columbia River.”
Upon its entry into service this fall, the tug will operate from Astoria, Ore., to Portland, with a focus area from Portland to Longview, Wash. “Its primary duty will be ship assist into and out of berth and anchor,” said Hellberg. “It’s very capable for performing escort and emergency response work as well.”
Hellberg said a lot of effort went into the tug’s crew features — “the human design,” as he called it — with emphasis on making the wheelhouse user-friendly and the interior spaces and berthing areas quiet to reduce fatigue.
“We try to learn and get better every time we build a new boat,” said Hellberg.
