A spokesman for the New York-listed operator says Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (Nichols Bros) was contracted to construct a 10,000-hp tug.

Upon delivery in mid-to-late 2015 the vessel will be linked with a 185,000-barrel tank barge built by Gunderson Marine, which is based in Portland, Oregon.

Nichols Bros chief executive Matt Nichols tells TradeWinds that construction of the tug is due to begin this May and will likely be completed by the summer of 2015.

“We’ve