Med Marine Launches Four Newbuild Tugs to Expand Turkish Fleet

Turkish shipbuilder Med Marine has launched four newbuild harbour tugs at its Eregli shipyard to expand its own fleet of harbour and firefighting tugs. The 25.4-metre vessels were built to Robert Allan's RAmparts 2500-W design, each offering a minimum of 70 tonnes of bollard pull. Constructed for the company's own fleet and stock to serve owners requiring quick deliveries, the tugs are targeted to begin operations in Turkish ports in the fourth quarter of 2026, adding to a broad order book across multiple international clients.

 

Details of the Newbuild Tugs

 

Med Marine has expanded its fleet through a series of newbuild vessels. The company launched four harbour tugs at its shipyard in Eregli, Turkey. These vessels carry the newbuilding numbers ER 161, ER 175, ER 176 and ER 177. Each was built to Robert Allan's RAmparts 2500-W design. The tugs were constructed at the company's facilities on the Black Sea coast.

The vessels were launched over several months in 2026. Two of the tugs entered the water at the end of April. A third was launched in June, followed by the fourth in July. The vessels are targeted to begin operations in Turkish ports in the fourth quarter of 2026. This timeline follows the completion of remaining work and sea trials.

 

Technical Specifications

 

The tugs are built to a substantial specification for their size. Each 25.4-metre vessel has a beam of 12.4 metres. They offer a depth of 4.6 metres and accommodation for eight crew members. The vessels reach a top speed of 12 knots. Each is equipped with a FiFi-class firefighting system.

The propulsion arrangement supports demanding harbour work. Each tug has two four-stroke, high-speed diesel engines. These turn Z-drive units fitted with high-efficiency fixed-pitch propellers. The propulsion units are mounted on the stern of the vessel. This configuration delivers a minimum bollard pull of 70 tonnes.

 

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Design and Construction

 

The vessels are designed for a range of harbour operations. Med Marine said the tugs are prepared for ship manoeuvring and pushing. They are also suited to towing and mooring operations. The vessels are built to perform in demanding operational conditions. This versatility makes them suited to busy port environments.

The construction reflects a focus on safety and reliability. The welded steel hull is arranged around watertight compartments. Dedicated spaces house accommodation, machinery, fuel and fresh water. The propulsion system also has its own dedicated space within the hull. The company described the design as built around keeping the vessel safe and dependable.

 

Building for Stock and Quick Delivery

 

The vessels serve a specific commercial strategy for the shipyard. Med Marine built the tugs for its own fleet and for stock. The stock vessels are intended for owners requiring quick deliveries. Building tugs speculatively allows the yard to offer rapid availability. This approach differs from constructing only against confirmed orders.

This strategy positions the yard to respond to urgent demand. Owners needing a tug quickly can acquire a stock vessel without waiting for construction. This can be valuable when operational requirements arise at short notice. The approach reflects confidence in continued demand for harbour tugs. It allows the yard to keep its facilities productive between contracted orders.

 

A Broad International Order Book

 

The four tugs form part of a wider construction programme. Med Marine is building two 42-metre escort and salvage tugs. These are being built for Turkey's General Directorate of Coastal Safety. They feature a 130-tonne bollard pull and a FiFi1 firefighting system. The yard is also building a tractor tug for the Namibian Ports Authority.

The order book extends to naval and international clients. Med Marine has begun building three tugboats for the Romanian Navy. These 25-metre vessels each offer a bollard pull of 55 tonnes. This year the yard completed six tugs for Tunisia's Office of Merchant Marine and Ports. It has also delivered tugboats for clients including Noatum Maritime, Premier Marine and Sekavin.