Four harbour tugs andtwooffshore tugs will strengthen the FAIRPLAY Towage Groupfleet • Contract signed with Sanmar Shipyards in Türkiye for six newbuild tugs • Four harbour tugs for European ports and two offshore tugs for international operations • Newbuilds based on designs by Robert Allan Ltd. and compliant with IMO Tier III emission standards
FAIRPLAY Towage Group has signed a contract with Sanmar Shipyards for the construction of six new tugs. The order comprises four modern harbour tugs and two powerful offshore tugs. The newbuilds will be constructed at Sanmar’s shipyards in Türkiye based on designs by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. The vessels have been ordered by FAIRPLAY Germany and FAIRPLAY Polska.
The four RAmparts 2400SX harbour tugs will each have a power output starting at 6,390 hp and a minimum bollard pull of 80 tonnes. They are intended for deployment in European ports between Poland and Belgium.
The order also includes two offshore tugs: a RAstar 3200SX with a bollard pull of 90 tonnes and a RAMPAGE 4200 with a bollard pull of 125 tonnes. The two vessels are intended for operations in the North Sea as well as projects in Africa and South America. The most powerful of the six newbuilds will have an output of 10,580 hp.
New tugs for harbour and offshore operations
The six newbuilds are part of the modernisation and expansion of the fleet. Deliveries will be staggered: the first harbour tug is scheduled for delivery in mid-2027, with the remaining harbour tugs expected to follow by the end of 2027. The two offshore tugs are scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2028.
All six tugs will comply with IMO Tier III emission standards. In addition, the newbuilds will have an iceclass rating and will be equipped to assist LNG carriers, including under winter conditions.
“With the order of two offshore tugs and four harbour tugs, we are making a clear and consistent investment in the future of FAIRPLAY. Our ambition is to provide our customers with the highest levels of performance, reliability and state-of-the-art technology – not only today, but also in the years ahead. That is why we have deliberately chosen vessels that represent the very forefront of tug technology currently available on the market.
At the same time, this order marks a special milestone for us: for the first time since 2008, we are building with Sanmar again. We have known the shipyard and its capabilities for many years and are very pleased to renew this partnership with such a significant newbuilding programme.
Throughout its long history, FAIRPLAY has always evolved as markets and requirements have changed. That is exactly what we are doing today. We are not investing in vessels for the past – we are investing in a fleet built for the demands of the future, both in port and offshore,” says Philip-Alexander Harmstorf, Managing Director of FAIRPLAY Towage Group.
“The decision to select tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Sanmar Shipyards was based on their extensive experience and flexibility in meeting our requirements. They stand for reliability and the highest quality of workmanship,” says Arkadiusz Ryż, Managing Director of FAIRPLAY Towage Polska.
“I would also like to sincerely thank our business partners for their continued support, which opens up new opportunities for our further development. My thanks also go to the entire FAIRPLAY team for their hard work in delivering our ambitious projects,” Ryż adds.
Partnership with Sanmar Shipyards
Sanmar Shipyards has more than 50 years of experience in tug construction and has built several hundred vessels for customers worldwide. The company develops and builds, among others, tugs featuring low- and zero-emission propulsion technologies.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Sanmar and the beginning of a strong partnership with FAIRPLAY Towage Group. This significant six-tug order reflects the trust placed in Sanmar’s engineering expertise, proven build quality, and global delivery capabilities. We are proud to support FAIRPLAY’s fleet expansion with technologically advanced, high-performance, and environmentally responsible tugboats, and we look forward to a long-term, successful collaboration,” says Ali Gürün, CEO of Sanmar Shipyards.