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Africa, Middle East growth markets for tug builders
Rising demand means more tugboats with efficient propulsion and high power are heading to support shipping in new terminals and expanded ports in Africa and the Middle East
Africa is becoming a growth market for tug owners and shipyards, pumping out series of new vessels. Ports are being expanded and new terminals are opening to export and import bulk cargo, containers, oil and gas.This has led to a flow of newbuild tugboats entering the sector in these regions in 2024.
In Egypt, Boluda Towage started supporting container ships at the new Mediterranean container terminal at the beginning of 2024 with two tugs acquired from Sanmar Shipyards, and VB Ahmose, built by Med Marine.
Alexandria Port Authority started operating Hidaya after its delivery from Alexandria Shipyard; Rashied Maritime Services welcomed Cheoy Lee-built Verde Gee; and KJO Supporter commenced operations with Maridive Services after its construction in Malaysia.
In 2024, COSCO Shipping Bulk Cargo Transportation added tugboats and support vessels to its growing bauxite mining and export operations in Guinea from Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyards.
JL Tug expanded its fleet in Morocco with the addition of Ines and Jacques 5 from Sanmar Shipyards; while Norden added Nord Mayumba to its operations following its construction by Cheoy Lee.
In Nigeria, Depasa Marine International returned to Damen for more tugs, with Bama and Iragbiji entering service; Yuexin Zhuoyue built terminal tug Oshone for Shell; and Damen supplied two tugs to the National Ports Authority. Damen also delivered Msanga Mkuu to Mtwara Port in Tanzania and Maiaia and Monapo in Mozambique; while Cheoy Lee built Tahid Narmada and Tahid Sabarmati to operate in Dakar, Senegal for Adani.
In Saudi Arabia, Atco Ports started operating three Malaysia-built Atco Baraka tugs, two from Sapor Shipyard and one from Vitawani Shipyard; while East Coast Port Services took Sharq I and Sharq 2 from Jiangsu Suyang Marine; and Western Coast Port Services acquired a newbuild from Guangdong Bonny Far Heavy Industry.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sea Phanagoria started operations with Seacontractors; Maritime Craft Services Clyde started operating Damen-built MCS Heather 2; and Astro Pisces was delivered to Astro Offshore by Damen.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group subsidiary Safeen Group welcomed the world’s most powerful electric tugboat at Khalifa Port in the UAE. Following sea trials, this 2024-built vessel achieved an average high-peak bollard pull of 78 tonnes, which makes it the most powerful electric tugboat in the world to date, as validated and awarded by Guinness World Records.
Bu Tinah was built by Damen Shipyards as a reverse stern drive (RSD) tugboat at Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam and transferred to the Albwardy Damen Shipyard in Sharjah, where it was initially presented at an event linked to Riviera’s International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Convention, in May.
After final commissioning, testing and crew familiarisation, this 25-m, RSD-E 2513 design tug was sailed to Khalifa Port for trials and is now being used to handle and berth ships.
This Bureau Veritas-classed tug is being operated using its electric hybrid propulsion, with batteries supplemented and charged by a generator set, until a planned shore power installation is built and commissioned.
Bu Tinah has a beam of 13 m, a draught of around 6 m and a top speed of 12 knots. It is the first all-electric harbour tug of its kind in the Middle East and contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of port operations while offering a cost-effective alternative to diesel-powered vessels due to lower maintenance expenditure.
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