The Misr Tugboats Factory in Egypt recently launched AZM 1 and AZM 2, the first two of 10 locally-built tugs for the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).
Misr Tugboats Factory in Safaga, a joint venture between SCA and the South Red Sea Shipyard (SRSS) is a new development, and AZM 1 and AZM 2 are the first tugs to be produced at this facility, which supports Egypt’s strategy to localise marine vessel production.
These pair, designed by Robert Allan Ltd, are powered by ABC 12-cylinder engines, providing a bollard pull capacity of 90 tons.
The head of the SCA, Osama Rabea, said the two tugs are considered a result of the authority’s trend towards enhancing cooperation with the private sector through a number of partnerships, part of a plan to maximise revenues and diversify income sources.
He also noted that the partnership with South Red Sea Shipyard has several dimensions, including the establishment of a comprehensive industrial complex that provides job opportunities, a training center, and specialised technical groups in various maritime industries.