Quebec tug company continues expansion on St. Lawrence River

摘要

Another in a long series of new 5,000-hp ASD tractor tugs is expected at Quebec City on the Saint Lawrence River this summer. This one, Ocean Ross Gaudreault, nearing completion this spring at the East Isle Shipyard, follows the recent delivery of a sistership, Ocean Yvan Desgagnes, from the same yard. These are ice-rated, cold-weather workhorses with towing winches, controllable-pitch propellers, firefighting and escort capabilities. They are joining the more than 20 tugs employed by Ocean Group Inc, based in Quebec, which operates throughout the length of the Saint Lawrence with ship-assist focus at the busy ports of Quebec City and Montreal. As of this writing, the company's fleet included 10 ASD tractor-style tugs ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 hp.