Sanmar delivers all electric harbor tug quartet to BOTAŞ

Photo: Sanmar Shipyards

For most tug builders around the world, delivering just one fully electric tug would be a milestone achievement. For Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar, though, since delivery of its first electric tug to Canada’s HaiSea Marine in 2023, such deliveries risk becoming almost routine and, in a recent ceremony at its Tuzla shipyard, the company handed over not one but four fully electric ElectrRA tugboats to Turkey’s state-owned crude oil and natural gas pipelines and trading company, BOTAŞ.

The four eco-friendly, emissions-free harbor tugs are based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2500SX design from Canadian naval architect firm Robert Allan Ltd. They will operate at the BOTAŞ Marmara Ereğlisi LNG Terminal and the HaiSea MarineSaros FSRU Terminal, both of strategic importance to ensuring Türkiye’s energy security.

The four ElectRA tugs delivered to BOTAŞ, known by their hull numbers during construction, have been renamed BOTAŞ Hi̇lal, BOTAŞ Bayrak, BOTAŞ Ay and BOTAŞ Yildiz by their new owner.

Each tug measures 25.4 meters LOA, with a 12.86 meters beam and 5.55 meters draft, and delivers an impressive 70 tonnes of bollard pull ahead, with a top speed of approximately 13 knots.

Accommodations are provided for a crew of up to eight.

Equipped with battery banks producing 5,085 kWh, these tugs also include backup diesel gensets to ensure fire-fighting capability and extended operational endurance. Their tank capacities include 54 cubic meters of fuel oil and 18 cubic meters of fresh water.

Cem Seven, chairman of Sanmar Shipyards said: “The fact that this strategic partnership coincides with Sanmar’s 50th anniversary adds special significance to this project. Combining our half-century of experience with our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, we continue our work in line with our goal of shaping the future of global maritime shipping. We will continue to produce engineering solutions that inspire confidence with our people-centered, environmentally friendly, and innovative approach.”

Erdinç Deli, LNG operations manager at BOTAŞ said: “We have gathered here for the delivery ceremony of our four electric tugboats—named BOTAŞ Hi̇lal, BOTAŞ Bayrak, BOTAŞ Ay, and BOTAŞ Yildiz—which are the result of hard work and strong cooperation of two companies. In line with BOTAŞ’s energy vision, these tugboats, built at this pioneering facility of the sector, are equipped with advanced technology, compliant with international standards, and prioritize environmental and safety commitments.

With the delivery of the BOTAŞ quartet, the total number of electric tugs constructed by Sanmar and currently in operational service worldwide has reached 13. With another new Sanmar-built electric tug set to commence operations shortly, this number will soon rise to 14, further consolidating the company’s position as a global leader in the zero-emission tug sector.