Conrad Shipyard was awarded a contract by the US Army Corps of Engineers to design and build two tugs for use in the Great Lakes.

The two CELRE Detroit Ice Class tugs will be used for the mobilization of floating equipment on the St. Mary’s River, Upper Great Lakes and Port of Soo, as well as breaking ice up to 12 inches thick and performing ice scraping operations at St. Canal in Mary’s Falls.

Conrad won out of five bidders for the $16,983,710 firm-price contract.

The shipbuilding work will be carried out in Morgan City, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of December 26, 2024.

“Conrad has a long history with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and we have built several ships currently in service across the country,” said Conrad Shipyard CEO Johnny Conrad. “We are proud to provide the Corps with two more top quality ships to serve its Detroit district.”

Each new twin-screw, open-wheel construction will measure 76′ x 25′ x 10′-8.5” and will be diesel-powered with 1,600 BHP, Conrad Shipyard said. Each vessel will also have deckhouses with galley/mess, berths and washroom facilities for a crew of three.

The tugs will be ABS classed as Maltese Cross A-1, Ice Class C0, Great Lakes Service with Maltese Cross AMS towing vessels. Each will also comply with the requirements of USCG 46 CFR Subchapter M.