The Sanamar product list of six tugs includes three twin screw vessels, the ‘Sanmar’, ‘Nehir’ and ‘Dogancay’ of between 18 and 25m, giving a bollard pull range from 30 to 42 tons. Also available are three highly developed ASD designs, the new 24m ‘Ulpina’ of 45 tons bollard pull, the 28m ‘Sanmar Terminal’ with 60 tonns and the ‘Sanmar Eskort 80’ with 80 tons.

One of the new designs, the new ‘Ulupinar’ series, is an updated version of an existing ASD tug design and fulfils the demand for a powerful, agile and yet compact harbour tug. An ASD propulsion system and winches fore and aft make the new tug versatile and practical for both harbour and coastal operation.

Tugs built to the new design measure 24.39m in length overall, have a moulded beam of 9.15m and maximum draft of 4.42m. Caterpillar 3512 main engines generate a total of 3,300 bhp to power a pair of Rolls-Royce Aquamaster US 155FP fully steerable propulsion units. On trials the first vessel of the series achieved a maximum bollard pull of 45 tons.

Although intended primarily for harbour and ship assist duties, the ‘Ulupinar’ series tugs are equipped with Rolls-Royce hydraulic towing winches fore and aft, giving them a coastal towing capability. Both winches have a maximum line pull of 23 tons maximum and line speeds of up to 45m/minute.

The tugs are being built to the highest standards for crew comfort with special attention given to noise levels. Average sound levels of 60 dB were recorded in the cabins while the vessel was approaching full speed on trials. During low speed manoeuvring the sound level can be as low as 55 dB in some areas.

General design parameters are based on harbour performance while maximising crew safety and comfort. The tug can suit to many flag requirements and if necessary can meet a variety of additional criteria from German, Italian and French flag state rules. The dimensions and volume of the cabins, the size of berths, lockers, sanitary spaces, stairs, ladders, corridors and capacity of HVAC are all designed and built as per ILO regulations, which are the reference point of many European Flag Rules.

Some additional features not normally found in a tug of this size are a bridge watch alarm system, navigation lights switchable for stern first operation, heated wheelhouse windows, towing pins, dual radar displays for fore and aft operation, and stainless steel drinking water tanks.

A total of 10 ‘Ulpinar’ tugs are under construction and due to be completed by the end of 2010. The first was delivered in October to Hans Schramm Gmbh in Germany and two further vessels are due to be completed shortly for an operator in the Dominican Republic.

Nine of the new tugs currently under construction are being built to the enhanced ‘Sanmar Eskort 80’ design developed in conjunction with Robert Allan to meet demands for terminal tugs with 80 tons bollard pull. The first will be delivered to Norwegian owners Ostensjo in July 2008 and be followed by two vessels for Bugsier in Germany. This design builds on the success of the original 32m, 60 tons bollard pull version delivered over the past three years to Italian operators Rimorchiatori Sardi, Neri SpA, Laziali, Moby Tug and Lamnalco in the UAE