Sanmar has held a ceremony to mark the delivery of four of its game-changing, fully electric ElectRA tugboats to Türkiye’s state-owned crude oil and natural gas pipelines and trading company, BOTAŞ.
The four eco-friendly, emissions-free harbour tugs are based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2500SX design from renowned Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. They will operate at the BOTAŞ Marmara Ereğlisi LNG Terminal and the BOTAŞ Saros FSRU Terminal, both of which are of strategic importance to ensuring Türkiye’s energy security.
The ceremony was held at Sanmar’s Tuzla Shipyard on Friday, 27 February, and was attended by Cem Seven, Chairman of Sanmar Shipyards, Ali Gürün, Vice Chairman & CEO of Sanmar Shipyards and other SANMAR management and employees. Guests included Erdinç Deli, BOTAŞ LNG Operations Manager, along with other BOTAŞ managers and employees.
At the start of the tugs’ production process, Erdinç Deli said the agreement marked a significant milestone in BOTAŞ achieving the targets set out in its National Energy Action Plan, aimed at enabling the transition to environmentally friendly technologies.
The successful completion of this major contract carries additional significance for Sanmar as it celebrates its 50th anniversary year, with the company firmly positioned at the forefront of the tug and towing industry’s transition toward a sustainable low- and zero-emissions future.
The four ElectRA tugs delivered to BOTAŞ, known by their hull numbers during construction at Sanmar’s Tuzla Shipyard, have been renamed BOTAŞ HİLAL, BOTAŞ BAYRAK, BOTAŞ AY and BOTAŞ YILDIZ by their new owner.
Each tug measures 25.4m LOA, with a 12.86m beam and 5.55m draft, and delivers an impressive 70 tonnes of bollard pull ahead, with a top speed of approximately 13 knots. Accommodation is provided for a crew of up to eight.
Equipped with battery banks producing 5,085 kWh, these powerful tugs also include backup diesel gensets to ensure fire-fighting capability and extended operational endurance. Their tank capacities include 54m³ of fuel oil and 18m³ 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 of 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. They are valuable masterpieces and a source of pride, forged by the hard work of our craftsmen and the dedication of our teams. I would like to express my gratitude to all our engineers, technical teams, field workers, and suppliers who contributed to the construction of these electric tugboats. These vessels will be utilized for the manoeuvring of LNG carriers berthing at BOTAŞ Marmara Ereğlisi LNG Terminal and BOTAŞ Saros FSRU Terminal, both of which hold strategic importance in ensuring Türkiye's energy security. I hope that these electric tugboats will serve safely and add value to our country’s economy and energy sector. I would like to thank to Sanmar family for bringing us together on this meaningful day, and I extend my respects to all of you."
Each ElectRA Series tug reduces harmful emissions compared to traditional tugs by an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,000 cars.
With the delivery of the four electric tugboats built for BOTAŞ, the total number of electric tugs constructed by Sanmar and currently in operational service worldwide has reached 13. With another new electric tug set to commence operations shortly, this number will rise to 14, further consolidating Sanmar’s position as a global leader in the zero-emission tug sector.
Sanmar’s new generation of environmentally friendly tugboats also includes the world’s first large purpose-built methanol tugs, reinforcing the company’s pioneering role in alternative fuel solutions for the maritime industry.
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