The yard, which is majority owned by Japan's Onomichi Dockyard, said the tug was the first of two to be built for Samoa.
It would have a 'bollard pull', an indication of the tug's power, of 130 tonnes and would be the most powerful tug built by the yard, the statement said.
The keel-laying ceremony was attended by the owner’s representatives, classification society surveyors, senior management of Colombo Dockyard and the project management team.
The vessel is being built to a design by ship design firm, Moss Maritime a.s., of Norway.
The completed vessel is scheduled to be delivered in mid-2011.
The vessel will be used for supply duties between base offshore units, handling anchors, and towing of barges, semi submersibles and other vessels.
"Over the past few years, Colombo Dockyard has accumulated a wealth of experience in building vessels for the offshore sector," the statement said.
"(It) is now well-experienced and geared to meet any kind of requirement that may