Turkey’s leading tug builder and internationally well respected innovator, Sanmar  Marine, continues to demonstrate its premier position in the field by using the ITS Convention and Exhibition in Marseille to announce several new models and the development of a novel bridge control concept.

Following the delivery earlier this year of a ground-breaking new design of compact tractor tug, the first of the 60/70 tonne BP Delicay Series, to a New Zealand Port and with five more being built, of which two are destined for employment by Svitzer in Europe, Sanmar is announcing details of three additional new and exclusive series. These extra models broaden the builder’s portfolio even further with additions near the bottom and top of its present already extensive range.

The new 29m Bigacay Series packs a hefty 90 tonnes of bollard pull from its 29m LOA, and despite its freshness to the scene, orders for four have already been received from a world leading operator. All four will be delivered this autumn. Another model exclusive to Sanmar, the Robert Allan Limited design is designated  which features the unique sponsoned hull-form giving superior escort performance and improved sea-keeping with roll response less than half of other standard designs. These impressive tugs are ASDs with an ABS full FiFi1 classification and employ MTU main engines driving Schottel Rudderpropellers. As standard, they have Ibercisa winches fore and aft, a Data Hidrolic towing hook and a Palfinger deck crane. Each vessel has five en suite cabins to accommodate eight personnel.

This is by no means, however, Sanmar’s largest tug. The first unit in the brand new Kocacay Series is nearing completion and the vessel measures 32m LOA and is a new variant of the Robert Allan Ltd designed RAstar 3200SX. Planned as a highly competitive and cost effective terminal tug where prevailing sea conditions indicate the need for greater length, a sponsoned hull form and special escort skeg – all for the definitive in stability — whilst still maintaining a bollard pull of 75 tonnes plus.  The FiFi1 classed Kocacay 1 is available for very early delivery.

At the other end of the spectrum, the 16m long, 16 tonne bollard pull Gokcay series mooring boat uses two Caterpillar C18 engines with conventional fixed pitch propellers. Based upon the Robert Allan Rapport 1600SX design, work has begun on two of this type and one has already been snapped up by a Bulgarian operator.

The advantage of being both a tug fleet operator and a specialist tug builder is the enormous advantage to the purchaser of owning a vessel that incorporates the knowledge gained from more than 40 years of practical experience. Such an example is the Sanmar ergonomic control panel which has huge safety and comfort implications for today’s tugs.

Having twin screw, ASD and tractor configuration models, and a range of sizes and powers to suit every requirement, Sanmar is in a prime position to serve international owners with its two custom built shipyards experienced in producing top quality sophisticated products at a competitive price. Many are available with extremely quick delivery times using stock hulls.