Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, inspected the construction of new tugboats at the Egypt Tugboat Factory, located at the South Red Sea shipyard in Safaga.
Rabie began his tour by inspecting the construction works at the yacht factory owned by the Suez Canal Authority’s modern boats company. He then moved on to the Egypt Tugboat Factory, where he reviewed the progress of building six tugboats at various stages of completion. Preparations were underway to finalize the equipment for the “Azm 1” and “Azm 2” tugboats, while mechanical and electrical installations were being completed for the “Azm 3” and “Azm 4” tugboats. Additionally, the assembly of blocks for the “Azm 5” and “Azm 6” tugboats, as well as the welding of the hull for two of the 12 deep-sea fishing vessels, was in progress.
Rabie also inspected the shipyard’s outdoor construction area, where the hulls of six tugboats were completed, and work was ongoing to finalize the mechanical and electrical works and install equipment. These tugboats are scheduled to be launched successively in the coming period.
Rabie emphasized that the Egypt Tugboat Factory is a result of the partnership between the Suez Canal Authority and the South Red Sea Shipyard, aiming to localize marine industries. He added that 28 tugboats have been added to operate within and outside the canal.
He further stated that work is ongoing to implement the new presidential directives to build 12 advanced deep-sea fishing vessels to operate as an integrated system for fishing, production, and fish processing, as part of efforts to develop and modernize the Egyptian fishing fleet.
For his part, Mustafa al-Dughaishi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Red Sea Shipyard, confirmed that the company is looking forward to launching the “Azm 1” and “Azm 2” tugboats in the first quarter of this year. He added that the completion rates for the “Azm 3” and “Azm 4” tugboats have reached 60% and 55%, respectively, while the “Azm 5” and “Azm 6” tugboats have reached 45% and 40%, respectively.
