Egypt builds 10 naval Rastar 3200-W tugs, 12 deep-sea fishing vessels

CAIRO – 9 January 2025: Egypt is building10 naval Rastar 3200-W tugs at the South Red Sea Shipyard (SRSS) in Safaga city, besides starting building 12 deep-sea vessels, to join the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) maritime fleet.

The locally-manufactured tug, named “Azm,” is being built with tugging power of 90 tons and being equipped with first-class fire-fighting systems, according to a statement from the SCA. 

 

The SCA Chief Admiral Osama Rabie made an inspection tour of the production line of the tugging boats at the shipyard on Thursday. He also toured the construction works at the yacht factory of the Suez Canal for Modern Boats (Egypt Yachts).

 

Admiral Rabie emphasized that the SRSS serves as an exemplary model of successful collaboration between the public and private sectors. The initiative aims to localize maritime industries within Egypt's national shipyards, fulfilling domestic market demands, creating job opportunities, and boosting Egypt's potential for maritime exports.

 

The SCA chief added that the SCA modernized and expanded its maritime fleet by acquiring 28 tugs of various models and pulling capacities, ensuring the capability to meet all operational needs both within and beyond the canal’s navigation channel.

As for the deep-sea fishing vessel, it will be built to operate as an integrated system for catching, producing and packaging fish. This aims to develop and modernize the Egyptian fishing fleet through two different models designed by the Spanish Naval architect design office INSENAVAL. 

 

Mostafa Al-Degeishi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SRSS, noted that the construction of the new tugs is progressing ahead of schedule. The first two tugs, "Azm 1" and "Azm 2," are expected to be launched in the first quarter of this year.

Degeishi also pointed out the positive societal impact of the Egyptian Tugging Factory at SRSS, which has created significant developmental value by generating new job opportunities within the shipbuilding sector. Since the factory began operations, more than 700 workers and engineers have been hired, and the workforce is expected to continue growing in tandem with increased production at the factory.