SANMAR and NEMECA Sign New Tugboat Contract

SANMAR Shipyards has signed a contract with Greek towage operator NEMECA to build a new BOĞAÇAY-class tugboat. The agreement for the BOĞAÇAY XCVII was signed in Piraeus, Greece, on October 6, 2026, marking an important milestone in NEMECA’s strategic growth and fleet modernisation in the Mediterranean.

The latest order builds on the strong business relationship established between the two maritime companies following SANMAR’s delivery of GAIA, a powerful RAstar 2900SX-class escort tug with 82 tonnes of bollard pull, to NEMECA in 2025.

The new vessel is based on the RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd., developed exclusively for SANMAR. The BOĞAÇAY series has established itself as one of SANMAR’s most successful and recognisable tugboat ranges worldwide, combining high power, excellent manoeuvrability and cost efficiency in a compact design.

BOĞAÇAY XCVII will have an overall length of 24.4 metres, a beam of 12 metres, a depth of 4.5 metres and a maximum operational draught of 5.45 metres. The tug will be powered by two CAT 3516E main engines, each delivering 2,350 kW, and will be prepared for compliance with future IMO Tier III emissions standards.

With a bollard pull exceeding 80 tonnes and a free-running speed of 13 knots, the vessel is being built for demanding ship-handling, terminal and escort operations. It will also feature FiFi 1 firefighting capabilities and modern accommodation for up to six crew members.

SANMAR said it was pleased to deepen its strategic partnership with NEMECA as the Greek operator continues to invest in high-performance, next-generation newbuild vessels. NEMECA’s decision to select SANMAR again for a tug with more than 80 tonnes of bollard pull demonstrates its commitment to strengthening fleet capability, operational safety and sustainable towage capacity in the region.

The BOĞAÇAY class combines heavy-duty power with exceptional versatility in a compact platform, making it well suited to the modernisation of regional port services. SANMAR said it was proud to support NEMECA’s continued growth and looked forward to delivering another state-of-the-art tug to strengthen the operator’s presence in Greece.

NEMECA Maritime Managing Director Mario Mizzi also highlighted the importance of fleet development and modernisation, saying that selecting the right vessels would improve service quality, enhance operational safety and equip crews with advanced capabilities to meet the evolving demands of major Greek ports.

He added that the new tug’s combination of advanced technology, high power and compact design would provide greater operational flexibility in busy port environments, where manoeuvrability, efficiency and reliability are essential.

Mizzi said NEMECA was pleased to further strengthen its relationship with SANMAR as it continued to develop its fleet through a focused and responsible approach, with a clear emphasis on operational excellence.