Sanmar’s Boğaçay class success continues

Marin Tug is a regular visitor to Sanmar’s showroom with their commercial relationship dating back to 2006, the Turkish tug operator’s fleet list including no fewer than nine Sanmar-built vessels, five or which are Boğaçay class vessels based on Robert Allan’s RAmparts 22m and 24m ASD tug.

Marin Tug’s latest addition, named İnceburun, was built as Boğaçay LXXVI and a MkII version of the class, described by Sanmar as ’much more powerful’ and part of its new range of technologically-advanced, innovative and environmentally-friendly tugs.

The class is a continually evolving design with bollard pull figures of 60, 70 or 80 tons depending on the propulsion system, with İnceburun listed as providing 70tbp from twin CAT 3512C-HD main engines delivering 3,840kW (5,172hp) in total.

Other features worthy of note are the design’s wider beam compared with similar-sized tugs, providing enhanced performance and stability according to Sanmar and with İnceburun a fifi-1 capability.

Rüçhan Çıvgın, commercial director at Sanmar Shipyards, said: “Over many years we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with our friends at Marin Tug and I am delighted that they have once again chosen us to provide the modern, technologically advanced, efficient and environmentally aware tugboat they need to further their successful business.”

New customer

As one Boğaçay class tug rolls off Sanmar’s production line, construction is under way with another MkII version for Port Flot – Burgas, described as one of Bulgaria’s leading towage companies, the vessel destined for operation in the Bay of Burgas.

Similar to Marin Tug, Port Flot – Burgas has a diverse fleet of tugs (five currently listed) with the new addition under construction carrying the name Boğaçay LXXXI, set to become its first Sanmar-built vessel with delivery expected in August 2025.

Both vessels mentioned here have the same basic dimensions of 24.4m LOA with a beam of 12m and navigational draught 4.5m. İnceburun is described as a vessel ‘emphasising low manning operation’ and Port Flot Burgas’s example will have accommodation for six persons.

A similar bollard pull of 70 tons is specified from IMO Tier III compliant engines with advanced machinery automation optimising efficiency. Tankage capacities include 77,900 litres of fuel oil, 11,500 litres of potable water and 7,700 litres of foam.

Port Flot – Burgas has a 35-year history providing towage services in the 41km (25.5 mile) wide Bay of Burgas in the Black Sea, including at shipyards, an oil port, Port Bulgaria West, BMF Port Burgas, KRZ Port and Nessebar passenger port.

“I am delighted that Port Flot – Burgas has chosen us to provide the technologically-advanced, multi-purpose tug they need,” said Rüçhan Çıvgın, who also provides background to the order.

“We always work extremely closely with our customers throughout a project to make sure we provide exactly what they need for their individual operational needs and I am confident that this co-operation and mutual understanding will mean that this new partnership flourishes in years to come.”