Tunisian newbuild tug construction passes halfway mark

Med Marine has launched the fourth tugboat in a six-vessel newbuilding programme for Tunisia’s national maritime and ports authority, taking this campaign over the halfway mark.

Hull ER 169 was launched at the Eregli Shipyard on Turkey’s Black Sea coast and will undergo outfitting and commissioning before it is prepared for sea trials and delivery.

These 428-gt, azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs are being built as MED-A2800-series vessels to Robert Allan Ltd’s RAmparts 2800 design for towing, handling and docking ships, and emergency response, coastal services and pollution clean-up.

When completed, they will be owned by Tunisia’s Office for Merchant Marine and Ports (OMMP) to enhance marine services in harbours along the Mediterranean coast.

They have an overall length of 28 m, a beam of 12 m, a draught of 5 m, 60 tonnes of bollard pull, a top speed of 12 knots, accommodation for eight crew members and a FiFi-E class fire-fighting system. Power comes from twin medium-speed diesel engines driving two Kongsberg US205 azimuth thrusters with fixed pitch propellers.

“With its refined hullform, MED-A2800 offers superior manoeuvrability, stability and fuel efficiency, even in challenging harbour conditions,” said Med Marine.

The Turkish shipbuilder has delivered the first of these tugs, Bulla Regia, to OMMP and is preparing to deliver another two later this year.