WOODSIDE TUGBOAT CONTRACT BOOSTS LOUISIANA SPEND TO $1 BILLION
Woodside Energy has awarded a services contract to Green Tug Towing – a joint venture of Harbor Docking & Towing and Saltchuk Marine – for the design and construction of four new tugs to be built at C&C Marine and Repair in Belle Chase, Louisiana,
Woodside Energy has awarded a services contract to Green Tug Towing – a joint venture of Harbor Docking & Towing and Saltchuk Marine – for the design and construction of four new tugs to be built at C&C Marine and Repair in Belle Chase, Louisiana, and delivered to Louisiana LNG in 2028. With this award, valued at more than $300 million, Woodside and its contractors have now committed more than $1 billion to Louisiana suppliers for the foundational development of the Louisiana LNG project.
At an event celebrating the milestone contract, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said: "When opportunity calls, Louisiana answers. Woodside’s $17.5 billion investment in Louisiana LNG and this tugboat contract prove that Louisiana’s workforce, innovation and grit continue to attract world-class investment. When industry looks for reliability, resilience, and results, they look to Louisiana because our workforce sets the standard and delivers every time. Projects like Louisiana LNG and the vessels being built at C&C Marine and Repair show the world what we already know: Louisiana isn’t just part of America’s energy future; we’re powering it.”
Woodside Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer International Daniel Kalms said: "This contract is an important milestone for Louisiana LNG and demonstrates our commitment to investing in Louisiana. As we progress towards targeted first LNG in 2029, Green Tug Towing will play a key role in ensuring Louisiana LNG can safely deliver reliable supply to our global customers. This contract also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting local suppliers and growing the shipbuilding industry in Louisiana."
The tugs will provide towing services for LNG tankers calling at the Louisiana LNG terminal over a 20-year term. Green Tug Towing will manage construction of the vessels in Belle Chasse and operate a tug facility in Lake Charles to support ongoing operations. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
"This contract is a major milestone for Green Tug Towing and for Louisiana’s maritime industry, combining local shipbuilding, proven harbour assist operations, and long-term investment in safe, reliable LNG terminal services,” said Thomas Springer, President of Green Tug Towing.
The Green Tug Towing contract will support the creation of approximately 70 direct local jobs, an additional 30 indirect roles, and about 60 temporary positions during construction at C&C Marine and Repair in their Belle Chasse, Louisiana shipyard.
“C&C Marine and Repair is proud to partner on a project that showcases the capabilities of Louisiana shipbuilding,” said Tony Cibilich, President of C&C Marine and Repair. “With this award, our current tugboat construction program for Woodside and Harbor Docking & Towing projects now totals eight vessels in Belle Chasse. We are honoured to build these tugboats in Louisiana and support the continued growth of maritime jobs, industrial investment, and vessel construction expertise in our state.”
Saltchuk Marine and Harbor Docking & Towing Form Green Tug Towing Joint Venture
Saltchuk Marine, LLC and Harbor Docking & Towing (HDT) today announced the formation of Green Tug Towing (GTT), a new joint venture company established to provide towage, escort, and terminal support services in the United States. GTT has been awarded a 20-year services contract by Woodside Energy to design, build, and operate four advanced hybrid escort tugboats to support LNG carrier operations at the company’s new Calcasieu Parish terminal.
Begin Construction on Four Advanced Hybrid Escort Tugs to Serve Woodside Louisiana LNG
SEATTLE, WA and LAKE CHARLES, LA— Saltchuk Marine, LLC and Harbor Docking & Towing (HDT) today announced the formation of Green Tug Towing (GTT), a new joint venture company established to provide towage, escort, and terminal support services in the United States. GTT has been awarded a 20-year services contract by Woodside Energy to design, build, and operate four advanced hybrid escort tugboats to support LNG carrier operations at the company’s new Calcasieu Parish terminal.
A Strategic Partnership for the Future of U.S. Terminal Services
“This partnership brings two family-owned companies with shared values together to do important work. Saltchuk Marine and Harbor Docking & Towing both have long histories built on safety, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the people and communities we serve,” said Jason Childs, President and CEO, Saltchuk Marine. “We’re proud to partner with a member of the Lake Charles maritime community that has been trusted for generations, and we look forward to building a long and productive future together.”
Next-Generation Hybrid Tugs for LNG Operations
C&C Marine & Repair in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, will build GTT’s four new vessels to Robert Allan Ltd.’s RApport 2800H design, one of the most advanced escort tug platforms available, specifically engineered to meet the safety, maneuverability, and environmental requirements of modern LNG terminal operations. C&C’s facility and proven track record in complex new vessel construction make it uniquely suited to deliver a multi-vessel program of this scope.
Key vessel specifications and features include:
Advanced diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, enabling significant fuel reduction and reduced
emissions across standby operations, harbor transits, and low-speed maneuvering
High-performance indirect steering forces and bollard pull engineered to handle the largest LNG
carriers safely
Optimized hull form and fendering designed for LNG berth operations and ship-assist missions
“Harbor Docking & Towing and Saltchuk Marine share a commitment to fit-for-purpose design and providing operational excellence to our customers. These tugs provide best-in-class technology and design and further expand maritime capacity and capability in southwest Louisiana. We look forward to growing the partnership to explore opportunities in other U.S. ports,” said John Buchanan, President, Harbor Docking & Towing.
Supporting Woodside Louisiana LNG
GTT will provide a full suite of services to support Woodside Louisiana LNG’s vessel traffic, including LNG carrier berthing and unberthing, escort and standby services, emergency response capability, and general harbor ship-assist, positioning the terminal for long-term operational efficiency and industry-leading environmental performance.
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About Green Tug Towing
Green Tug Towing (GTT) is a Louisiana-based joint venture between Saltchuk Marine, LLC and Harbor Docking & Towing, formed to provide towage, escort, and terminal support services in the United States. GTT will operate a tug facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and is purpose-built to serve the modern demands of LNG terminal operations with a low-emission, next-generation fleet.
About Saltchuk Marine
Saltchuk Marine is a leading provider of ship-assist, tanker escort, and towing services in the United States, operating through its family of companies, including Foss Maritime, AmNav, and Cook Inlet Tug & Barge. Saltchuk Marine delivers safe, reliable, and innovative maritime services across major U.S. ports and throughout the Pacific and Arctic regions. Safety, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to the communities where its people live and work are at the heart of everything Saltchuk Marine does.
About Harbor Docking & Towing
Harbor Docking & Towing (HDT) has been providing harbor towage services in the US Gulf Coast since 1955. A privately held, family-oriented company, HDT is recognized across the Gulf Coast for operational excellence, crew expertise, and a deep commitment to the communities it serves. HDT operates primarily along the Calcasieu Shipping Channel — the 7th busiest waterway in the nation by tonnage — and has built its reputation one safe operation at a time.
About C&C Marine and Repair
C&C Marine and Repair is a leader in marine construction, providing comprehensive shipyard services from its state-of-the-art facility in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, just south of New Orleans. Since 1997, C&C has specialized in new vessel construction, barge repair, and custom marine fabrication, serving clients across the Gulf Coast and beyond. With extensive experience and a facility equipped to support concurrent multi-vessel build programs, C&C delivers complex projects on schedule, on budget, and to the highest standards of quality.
About Woodside Louisiana LNG
Woodside Louisiana LNG is an under-construction LNG production and export terminal in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. https://www.woodside.com/what-we-do/growth-projects/woodside-louisiana-lng