The Suez Canal Authority is eagerly awaiting the completion of a state-of-the-art tugboat factory on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, a key development aimed at enhancing navigation through one of the world’s most vital waterways.
The new tugboats, set to be deployed in the Canal, are being constructed as part of a broader effort to improve maritime operations and efficiency.
Currently, the factory is focused on building 10 new tugboats, all named “Azm,” with the first six being assembled at Safaga’s shipyard.
The remaining four will be constructed in collaboration with the Port Said shipyard, an integral partner in the project.
The construction of these new tugboats is progressing steadily.
The hull of the first vessel, “Azm 1,” has been completed in full, while the second tugboat, “Azm 2,” is 85% finished and is expected to be launched by December.
The hulls of the third and fourth vessels, “Azm 3” and “Azm 4,” are currently 30% and 20% complete, respectively, with ongoing work focusing on piping systems and interior finishing according to detailed technical plans.
These advanced tugboats are designed with cutting-edge technology, thanks to a collaboration with Robert Allen, a globally renowned naval design firm.
This partnership ensures that the new fleet will not only possess excellent maneuverability and navigational capabilities but also an impressive towing power of up to 90 tonnes, greatly enhancing the operational efficiency of the Suez Canal.
The introduction of these modern tugboats is a significant step in the ongoing modernization efforts of the Suez Canal, which plays a crucial role in global trade.
By improving tugboat capacity and maneuvering efficiency, Egypt aims to bolster its maritime infrastructure and ensure the continued smooth passage of ships through the Canal.
