SPG focuses on promoting transformation and upgrading, bringing remarkable economic and social benefits. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

The Shandong Port Equipment Group of Shandong Port Group (SPG) signed a contract to construct two tugboats for a Singaporean company on Aug 22. This is the first time the equipment company has built tugboats for an overseas company.

The tugboat ordered by the Singaporean company was a new-generation 70T azimuth tugboat (TUGWISE 3270 series) developed by Blue Marine Solutions for European customers. Its overall performance is among the best of international port tugboats, according to Rizhao Gangda Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co, a subsidiary of Shandong Port Equipment Group, which will build the tugboats.

Since the beginning of this year, Rizhao Gangda Shipbuilding has been committed to strengthening and optimizing the high-end marine equipment business and actively exploring overseas markets. The shipbuilding company has reached cooperation intentions with customers in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands. The company's overseas market orders accounted for 31.41 percent of the total orders received this year and it is expected to exceed 50 percent by the end of the year, said the company.