Naming and christening ceremonies for two class-leading tugboats built by Sanmar for leading Italian operator Rimorchitori Napoletani took place in Naples on November 29.

GARGANO and PORTOSALVO are both examples of the latest tugboats in the Turkish tug builder’s best-selling Boğaçay range of ship-handling tugs, based on the exclusive RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design from acclaimed Canadian naval architects RAmparts 2400SX-MKII.

Boğaçay tugs are continually evolving by taking advantage of the latest technologies and innovations as they become available. The latest versions, such as GARGANO and PORTOSALVO, are the most environmentally friendly to date. Their green credentials include a high standard of machinery automation to maximise efficiency, and Tier III-compliant main engines. In addition, thanks to an optimised hull–propeller–engine configuration, key performance parameters such as bollard pull and speed are achieved with reduced installed power and lower fuel consumption, delivering clear benefits in terms of environmental impact and operational expenditure (OPEX).

With an overall length of 24.4m, moulded beam of 12m, least moulded depth of 4.5m and navigational draft of approximately 5.45m, the sister tugs can each achieve a bollard pull of over 70 tons astern and a free-running speed of 12.5 knots.

Rimorchitori Napoletani, whose origins can be traced back to assisting sail-powered ships in the Port of Naples in the late 19th Century, continues to modernize its fleet with Sanmar’s technologically advanced, market-leading tugs.

GARGANO and PORTOSALVO are the seventh and eighth tugboats that Sanmar has built for Rimorchitori Napoletani as part of a successful partnership which began in 2017.

Rüçhan Çıvgın, Commercial Director of Sanmar Shipyards, was a guest of honour at the christening ceremony in Naples, and afterwards said:

“I was delighted to be there. Rimorchitori Napoletani is a distinguished company with a long and proud history, that is embracing the modern-day challenges that we all now face.

“These latest Boğaçay Class tugs offer operators new levels of low-emission, low-environmental-impact operations that were simply unachievable just a relatively few years ago. Add to this unrivalled performance, versatility, and efficiency, and you can see why they are our best-sellers.”