New Pacific Launches First Shipbuilding Program Featuring Two  Tugboats for American Marine Corporation

Glosten-designed 122-foot vessels mark the first new builds at New Pacific’s historic Vancouver  waterfront facility.

New Pacific Industrial (NP) has launched its first shipbuilding program with  the construction of two 122-foot American Class tugboats for American Marine Corporation  (AMC) at its Vancouver, Washington waterfront facility. Designed by naval architecture and  marine engineering firm Glosten, the vessels also represent American Marine’s first new  tugboat construction as the company marks 50 years in business. 

“As American Marine celebrates half a century in business, our first new-build tug represents an  important milestone and an investment in the next generation of our operations,” said Bob  Shahnazarian, President and Owner of American Marine Corporation. “We wanted a team that  could take our operational requirements and carry them all the way through design,  construction, and delivery. New Pacific and Glosten give us that continuity throughout the  program.” 

“New Pacific was founded around a straightforward idea: complex projects need experienced  people, capable infrastructure, and an operating model that works for the customer,” said Joe  Corvelli, CEO of New Pacific. “Starting with a new-build program alongside American Marine  and Glosten puts that model into practice from day one.” 

New Pacific Begins with a Defining First Build 

New Pacific’s first build carries forward the shipbuilding legacy of its Vancouver waterfront.  Once part of the historic Kaiser Shipyards, where vessels were constructed during World War II,  the site now supports modern shipbuilding and heavy industrial work along the Columbia River. 

Founded by CEO Joe Corvelli, COO Chris Palmer and CCO Peter Roney, New Pacific’s founders  bring more than 90 years of combined leadership experience spanning commercial and  government shipbuilding, marine operations, advanced manufacturing and complex programs. 

“We’re building on a site with a long industrial history, but the objective isn’t to recreate the  past. It’s to expand the capability the Pacific region needs today,” said Chris Palmer, COO of  New Pacific. “Our role is to build on the region’s strong workforce and supplier ecosystem and  put serious industrial work back through this waterfront.” 

New Pacific’s 180,000+ square-foot Columbia River facility supports shipbuilding, heavy  industrial fabrication, and integrated program delivery with high-bay fabrication space, heavy-

lift crane capacity, outdoor laydown areas, and rail and barge access for large-scale maritime  programs. 

“This project reflects how we want to work with our customers and industry partners:  accessible, transparent, and flexible, with the experience and resources to build the right  solution around the requirements of each program,” said Peter Roney, CCO of New Pacific. 

Glosten Leads Vessel Design and Engineering 

Glosten is providing the vessel design and engineering package based on its CT-120, an  oceangoing line-haul tug concept developed for long-distance towing and demanding offshore  operations. Working with American Marine and New Pacific, Glosten tailored the design to  AMC’s specific operational requirements while retaining the CT-120’s focus on range, towing  capability, constructability, and efficient operation. 

“AMC was looking for a modern line-haul tug built for long, demanding ocean tows,” said Peter  Soles, Principal, Business Development at Glosten. “It had to be a true ocean roamer—a  capable, practical tug that’s comfortable to live and work on, and built to tow hard for decades.  The CT-120 gave us a strong starting point, but this is very much an American Marine tug. We  worked closely with their team to make sure the design reflects what they’ve learned over  many years of deep-ocean towing.” 

Purpose-Built Tugs for American Marine’s Operations 

The 499 GT (<200 GRT) tugs will measure 122 × 37 feet overall, with an operating draft of 17  feet and a usable fuel capacity of 130,000 gallons. Each will be powered by twin Wabtec marine  diesel engines, each rated at 3,017 horsepower and coupled to a REINTJES reverse-reduction  gearbox supplied by Karl Senner. The propulsion arrangement will combine 120-inch-diameter  stainless steel propellers in Nautican nozzles with Nautican’s triple-rudder system for enhanced  maneuverability. 

Delivering 85+ metric tons of bollard pull, the tugs will be equipped with a Markey Machine  diesel-powered, double-drum towing winch carrying 2,600 feet of 2¼-inch wire rope on each  drum, along with a single-drum headline winch fitted with a clutchable warping head. Smith  Berger will supply a flush-mounted pin table and Shark Jaws. 

Delivery of the first vessel is expected in Q3 2028. 

For more information about New Pacific, visit www.newpacific.us.