Eregli Shipyard Begins Construction Of Turkey's Most Powerful Escort Tug
On November 3, 2025, a significant milestone was celebrated at Eregli Shipyard, marking the official commencement of construction for two of Türkiye’s most powerful escort tugs, being built for the General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM). The steel-cutting ceremony symbolized the first tangible step in bringing this major project to life—one that reflects Türkiye’s steadfast commitment to advancing maritime safety and operational capability in its territorial waters, and once again demonstrates the engineering excellence of Med Marine’s Eregli Shipyard.
Under the contract signed on May 5, 2025, Eregli Shipyard will construct, outfit, test, and deliver two state-of-the-art escort tugs, each measuring 42 meters in length and boasting a minimum bollard pull of 130 tonnes. Designed to perform under the most challenging conditions, these vessels will feature FiFi-I class firefighting systems, advanced control technologies, and high-precision manoeuvrability to ensure rapid and reliable response in emergency operations.
The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from KEGM and Eregli Shiyard, including Mr. Mustafa Bankao?lu, General Director of KEGM, and Mr. Gökmen K?n?k, Deputy General Director of KEGM, among other distinguished guests from the organization. The event highlighted the shared sense of pride and responsibility in building vessels that will enhance the safety of Turkish seas and contribute to the nation’s maritime strength.
Reflecting on the occasion, Mrs. Y?ld?z Bozkurt Ozcan, General Manager of Med Marine Holding, expressed his enthusiasm, stating:
“Today, we begin a project of national importance—two powerful escort tugs that will stand as symbols of Türkiye’s maritime resilience and engineering excellence. Each plate of steel we cut today represents our dedication to safeguarding our coasts, advancing our shipbuilding capabilities, and contributing to a safer maritime future for the nation.”
As sparks flew and steel met flame, this ceremony marked more than the beginning of construction—it marked the continuation of Eregli Shipyard’s enduring mission to serve Türkiye’s maritime future through innovation, reliability, and craftsmanship.
Technical specifications of the tugboats:
Length: 42 m
Max. Draft: 7,5 m
Depth: 6,4 m
Beam: 16 m
Bollard Pull: Min. 130 tons
Speed: 14 knots
Crew: 11 persons
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
Meet Gerard McAllister: McAllister’s Next-Gen Tug Arrives In Flagship NYC
[By: McAllister Towing]
Power, ingenuity, maneuverability - McAllister Towing’s newest tractor tug, the GERARD MCALLISTER, brings all three to the Port of New York.
American made at Washburn & Doughty, the GERARD MCALLISTER is the fifth in a series of six 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. She is McAllister’s 42nd tractor tug and the 13th with over 80 metric tons of bollard pull, underscoring the company’s continuation toward a more powerful, hi-tech, and sustainable fleet.
Driven by 6,770 horsepower in her CAT engines, the GERARD MCALLISTER is built to handle the largest ships arriving on the U.S. East Coast. She joins her sister vessel, the GRACE MCALLISTER (launched in 2024), as the newest member of the fleet at McAllister’s flagship New York operation. With eco-friendly engines and Markey winches, these American-made tugboats rank among the most advanced and capable ship-docking tractor tugs serving the Port of New York.
The GERARD MCALLISTER’s first sail wasn’t just a delivery — it’s was a career showcase. On her way from the shipyard to New York, she stopped at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, giving cadets the chance to step aboard, tour the new tug, meet her crew, and ask real-world questions about working in the tugboat industry. For the next generation of mariners, the GERARD MCALLISTER is a terrific representation of where the industry is headed: high-tech, low-emission, and mission-critical to global trade.
“As vessel sponsor, it’s an incredible honor to see this tug bear my name,” said Gerard McAllister, the youngest of the fourth generation of McAllisters descended from company founder James McAllister. “This vessel represents where McAllister is headed — more power, cleaner technology, and new opportunities for the next generation of mariners. I hope the cadets who walk her decks at Mass Maritime can see themselves building a future in this industry and, one day, standing on a tug like this in New York Harbor.”
McAllister Towing is a fifth-generation owned and operated company that has been providing unsurpassed service since 1864. With four new state-of-the-art vessels added in the last two years and a fifth scheduled for delivery in 2026, McAllister continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and safety across its operations on the U.S. East Coast.
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
No comments:
Post a Comment