From line handling workboats to advanced offshore vessels, 2025 highlighted the breadth of Macduff Ship Design’s portfolio
Macduff Ship Design reflects on a productive and successful 2025, during which a diverse range of vessels were delivered across multiple sectors. The year marked a significant period of activity for the company, supported by close collaboration with shipyards, owners, and industry partners worldwide.
The year commenced with the delivery of two 14.0m Line Handling Workboats to SAAM Towage Canada. Constructed by Cheoy Lee Shipyard, the vessels were designed for versatility, allowing them to operate effectively as both general workboats and dedicated line handling vessels. Each is fitted with twin propellers and Kort nozzles supplied by Kort Propulsion, delivering a 10-tonne bollard pull.
This was followed by the delivery of Fruitful Harvest and Fruitful Bough to Blueshell Mussels of Shetland. Construction was managed by Skagen Ship Consulting in partnership with Etkin Marin of Turkey. The 20m mussel harvest vessels were specifically designed for operation around the Shetland Islands, meeting strict low water and air draft requirements. Both vessels are equipped with bow and stern thrusters to ensure excellent manoeuvrability in confined and challenging operating areas.
Another notable delivery was Gracious, a newly developed fishing vessel designed in partnership with Macduff Shipyards for MV Gracious Ltd. Arranged for twin-rig trawling in the North Sea, the vessel features a new hull form developed in collaboration with the Wolfson Unit in Southampton, using CFD analysis to reduce resistance and optimise propeller wake. A newly designed rudder, also developed with the Wolfson Unit, further enhances propulsion efficiency and handling.
The catamaran-style workboat Bradan an Eòlais was built by Macduff Shipyards for Bakkafrost Scotland. Measuring 18.5m in length, the vessel is equipped with two cranes and has the capacity to carry up to 70 tonnes of deck cargo. Its wide 9.6m beam provides a stable working platform, supporting aquaculture operations at salmon farms along the west coast of Scotland.
Macduff Ship Design also collaborated with Tor Group on the delivery of Tor Boreas, built at Tor Group’s facility in Tuzla, Turkey. The project employed a modular construction approach, maximising build efficiency within a purpose-built facility. Designed for multi-sector operations including offshore wind, the vessel features a diesel-electric propulsion system with twin Schottel SRP 210 FP azimuth drives, a bow thruster, and full dynamic positioning capability. Additional features include gyro stabilisation, a 1500mm x 1500mm moon pool, extended fuel and freshwater capacity, onboard sewage treatment, and a comprehensive deck equipment package, enabling extended offshore operations across a wide range of mission profiles.
Further deliveries included two 21m ASD-driven workboat tugs, River Pearl 15 and River Pearl 16, built by Synergy Shipbuilders in India for Knowledge Marine and Engineering Limited. Designed to achieve a 15-tonne bollard pull, the vessels represent the third successful collaboration between Macduff Ship Design, Knowledge Marine, Synergy Shipbuilders, and Hydromaster Marine, who supplied the ASD units.
The final delivery of 2025 was Naomi Jennifer, an aquaculture support vessel built by Macduff Shipyards for Inverlussa Marine Services. Completed late in the year, the vessel is equipped with twin heavy-lift cranes, stern roller, tow pins and shark jaws, a main winch, and a mooring lock to enhance operational capability and crew safety. With a deck cargo capacity of up to 100 tonnes, the vessel also meets high environmental standards, featuring IMO Tier III-compliant engines supported by a hybrid energy storage system for operational and hotel loads while at anchor.
