Tandanor shipyard launches first tugboat for Argentine Navy

The ARA Pampero is the first tugboat to be built by Tandanor for the Argentine Navy to replace tugsboats that the force is retiring from service. (Tandanor)

The Tandanor shipyard on 23 April launched tugboat ARA Pampero , the first tugboat of its type to be built specifically for the Argentine Navy.

The vessel was ordered in 2021 as part of a contract for seven tugboats of this class and five smaller tugboats. Initially, the boat was scheduled to be launched in 2022. The second and third ships of the contract could be seen under construction at Tandanor by Janes during a tour of the shipyard.

The contract was renegotiated between 2024 and 2025 to redefine the completion of Pampero , as well as the work to finish the remaining units, the shipyard said in 23 April statement.

Pampero will next begin sea and port trials before the ship can enter operational service, the shipyard said in a statement.

The ship has a length of 25.7 m, beam of 8.4 m, and a draught of 4.1 m. It has 40 tonnes of towing power, with propulsion provided by two 1,659 hp engines.

For more, please see: Argentine Navy retires two destroyers, a corvette, and a patrol aircraft