Sea trials have been taking place off the Turkish coast of the first two examples of Sanmar’s latest development, the Bigacay Series of ASDs, designed exclusively for the specialist tug builder by Robert Allan Ltd (and designated by them as the RAstar 2900 SX). The two boats are soon to be joined by two others nearing completion at the yard to make up a convoy which will then proceed across the Mediterranean to the Kingdom of Morocco to form the nucleus of Svitzer’s fleet at the Tanger Med 2 terminal. The vanguard pairing presently on trials, Svitzer Tanger and Svitzer Tetouan will be united with Svitzer Chefchaouen and Svitzer Al Hoceima.

As befits the name, Bigacay Class tugs are big and powerful measuring 29.4m LOA with a beam of 13.3m and attain a bollard pull ahead of a hefty 91 tonnes. In fact like the majority of the Sanmar series, it is named after a Turkish river. The propulsion plant combination consists of a pair of 2700kW MTU engines and Schottel SRP560 CP Rudderpropellers giving high performance and power yet still inside a relatively compact hull. This is a variant of the RAstar class of tugs of escort/terminal tugs with Robert Allan Ltd’s unique sponsoned hull form which has been proven to provide enhanced escort and sea keeping capability.

The new tugs all have first class accommodation for eight persons and are exceptionally well equipped in all departments including Ibercisa winches fore and aft and a Palfinger deck crane.