New tugboat deployed on Shannon Estuary as fleet is modernised

A NEW state-of-the art tugboat is to be deployed along the Shannon Estuary as part of a modernisation programme.

Celtic Tugs, a subsidiary of Irish Mainport Holdings,  recently held a naming ceremony for the newest edition to its fleet of vessels, the Celtic Treaty.

The tug was built by Med Marine in its Eregli Shipyard in Turkey, with construction starting in February 2022.

Ahead of the renaming ceremony, the tug sailed under her own power to Cork where the vessel was reflagged to the Irish flag.

The tug is a MED-A2850 Robert Allan - designed RAstar Tug with firefighting capabilities. The state of the art tug boat can provide over 50T bollard pull and is contracted to perform towage on the Shannon Estuary.

The Celtic Treaty will replace the Celtic Rebel which has served Celtic Tugs and SFPC in a safe and efficient manner for well over 20 years.

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David Ronayne, CEO of Irish Mainport Holdings, commented: “We have worked closely with our clients on this project and we are delighted with the build and design quality of the Celtic Treaty. This demonstrates our commitment to the Shannon Foynes Port Company and provides the port with the most modern tug on the Irish Coast.”

Pat Keating, CEO of SFPC, added: “The provision of safe, efficient and reliable towage is paramount for sustainable marine operations on the Shannon Estuary. In this regard Celtic Tugs Limited provide top class towage services and this significant investment in the Celtic Treaty not only demonstrates their ongoing commitment to existing demand but importantly provides new state of the art towage capacity consistent with our future expansionary plans as well. On behalf of all here at Shannon Foynes Port Company, I congratulate David Ronayne and his team at Mainport on the addition of this impressive vessel to their fleet.”