Brazilian owner Wilson Sons has arranged finance for a new order of six tugs.
The company said its subsidiary Saveiros Camuyrano Servicos Maritimos has signed a deal with state development bank BNDES to act as agent for the Merchant Marine Fund.
It will draw up to $54m to progress the order at its own shipyard in Guaruja.
The tug project has been developed with Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, a longstanding partner.