Silverback Marine wins DoD contract for its truckable tug

Tacoma, Wash.-based aluminum workboat specialist Silverback Marine reports that, in partnership with Darley Defense, it has been awarded a multimillion-dollar Department of Defense contract for its new OX series truckable tractor tug. Silverback did not disclose the specific value of the contract or the number of truckable tugs it covers. It says the specific DoD department involved will be disclosed when the first vessel is delivered, scheduled for late 2025.

As we reported earlier the vessel has been designed in collaboration with Elliot Bay Design Group of Seattle.

“Silverback Marine is very honored to receive this contract, and our team is extremely excited to bring this innovative vessel to life in the coming months,” says the company. “Our exhaustive R&D efforts with a host of industry professionals has paid off, and the market was ready for fresh ideas and approaches.”

The vessel is powered by twin Cummins diesel engines, Schottel Z Drives, with Arcosa deck equipment and winches. Direct glazed windows, including a full height captains position centerline window, will offer a spacious, well-lit operators’ environment with good visibility.

The tug is also a candidate for hybrid and 100% electric propulsion.

“The core purpose of this mini tug is to bring real, useable towing capacity to the truckable tug market,” says Silverback. “With the twin azimuth drives, captains can enjoy big tug characteristics in a very compact package, without the headache of costly Subchapter M requirements. The heavy-gauge aluminum hull, protected by Schuyler fendering, reduces weight and corrosion costs compared to traditional steel hulls, and the compact size allows haulout with conventional travel lifts. “

“Especially when operated in multi-vessel teams, operators now enjoy the ability to perform operations normally only possible with much larger tugs. This nimble solution also reduces underwater noise and environmental impacts, making it an attractive choice for ports seeking grant funding opportunities and incentives.”

For illustrative purposes, Silverback Marine has received permission from companies including Tradewinds Towing, Poseidon Barge, and Shaver Transportation to show renderings of the vessel in multiple livery schemes.

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