Suez Canal Authority recognises the need for increased salvage capacity at the Suez Canal which sees about 70 vessels transit each day and is responsible for about 12% of global trade by volume.
A large number of designers, suppliers and shipyards have been involved in an international competition for new tugboats that will secure the Suez Canal.
In an announcement Kongsberg Maritime said yesterday that has sealed a contract for the design and equipment of two new tugboats to secure the crucial for global shipping Suez Canal in Egypt. Alexandria Shipyard, is the main contractor for the building and delivery of the pair of tugs, which are expected to be completed in 2025 and 2026.
Norway´s Kongsberg has won a contract to provide the design and equipment for two powerful salvage tugs being built by Alexandria Shipyard as main contractor, on behalf of the Suez Canal Authority.
The tugs will be based on Kongsberg’s UT 722 CDT design, having a length of 71.6 metres, and the capacity to operate independently for up to 35 days.
Kongsberg Maritime will provide the technical support including the vessel design, the main equipment deliveries, the maintenance systems, and the crew training.
“These new tugs will be key to ensuring the future reliability of the canal for international shippers” said Rear Admiral Hossam El-Din Ezzat Kotb, Chairman of Alexandria Shipyard.
Alexandria Shipyard is one of the largest in Africa and the Middle East, with enormous capacity for building all vessel types, including tugboats.
Jørn Heltne, Kongsberg´s maritime vice president for sales and contracts, noted that Suez Canal Authority recognises the need for increased salvage capacity at the Suez Canal, which sees about 70 vessels transit each day and is responsible for about 12% of global trade by volume.
“The equipment and systems we are providing will ensure these tugs have trustworthy and precise handling and control, as well as the muscle needed to keep the Suez Canal open,” Heltne says.
He adds that the Suez Canal Authority’s tendering process for these tugs has been going for a long time, and a large number of designers, suppliers and shipyards have been involved in this international competition.
