New Egyptian shipyard launches tugs for Suez Canal Authority

Misr Tugboats Factory, a joint venture between the Suez Canal Authority and the South Red Sea Shipyard, has launched the first two tugboats in a major newbuilding campaign for the canal and terminals operator.

These vessels represent a significant leap in Egypt’s shipbuilding capabilities and enable the Suez Canal Authority to meet the growing demand for ship escort in the shipping canal.

AZM 1 and AZM 2 are the first two of a 10-vessel building programme and were named during a ceremony at the end of April. Misr Tugboats Factory is making progress on four other tugboats – AZM 3, AZM 4, AZM 5 and AZM 6 – with hull construction completed and mechanical and electrical works currently underway.

These 32-m tugs are being built to Robert Allan Ltd’s RAstar 3200-W design with a beam of 14 m, a draught of 6 m, a bollard pull of 90 tonnes and a top speed of 12 knots. They each have two main diesel engines from Anglo-Belgian Corp (ABC) and a fire-fighting system run by an external engine driving separate fire pumps to propel 2,400 m³/hr, and “environmental features designed to reduce carbon emissions” said the shipbuilder.​
“These tugs are equipped with advanced navigation systems and are built to meet international standards, ensuring enhanced safety and efficiency in maritime operations.​”

Misr Tugboats Factory has 140 m of quayside equipped with mooring bollards and a hauling crane with capacity of 850 tonnes.

Suez Canal Authority also has a large tugboat under construction at Alexandria Shipyard, which it expects to launch later this year. With a bollard-pull capacity of 190 tonnes, this will be the canal authority’s largest tug and will be prepared for emergency response in Egypt.