With several years of experience in building tugs to designs from Canadian naval architect Robert Allan behind them, Sanmar are now able to offer four different types, ranging from 2000 to 5500 bhp, with both twin screw and azimuthing stern drive (ASD) propulsion.

Among the tugs delivered in 2003 were vessels of 18m, 22.5m and 25m, with bollard pulls of 27, 30 and 40 tonnes respectively. Two more 18m twin-screw tugs are under construction and one 32m ASD tug with a 70 tonnes bollard pull, capable of escorting, anchorhandling and fire fighting.

With the experience in towage and pilotage operations at three different locations in Turkey, Sanmar has now expanded its tug services to the port of Varna in Bulgaria. The new enterprise is operated by a well-known business consortium with considerable marine experience in Bulgaria. Three Sanmar twin-screw tugs, all built during 2003 and with a 27 tonne bollard pull, are now serving very successfully in the confines of the Bulgarian port. These compact tugs, each with a three-man crew, and high power to size ratio are reported to be ideal for the job.

Sanmar is planning to increase the number of tugs gradually as its market share increases but faces the prospect of fierce competition, particularly when Bulgaria enters the European Community in the near future.