Newbuild programme brings together Sanmar and Med Tugs under SVS partnership
Sanmar Shipyards has secured a newbuild order for two advanced tugboats under a strategic agreement with Med Tugs. The contract has been executed via SVS, the joint venture formed by Greek towage operators Vernicos Scafi, Spanopoulos Group and Lyboussakis Salvage & Towage, and represents a coordinated investment aimed at strengthening Greece’s port and marine services capability.
The vessels, scheduled for delivery in September 2026 and September 2027, will be stationed at the Port of Piraeus. Designed to handle the increasing demands of one of Europe’s busiest maritime hubs, these tugs will specialise in high-performance harbour maneuovres and escort operations.
The order features two distinct hull configurations from the RAstar range, 80TBP RAstar 2900SX and 90TBP RAstar 3200SX, designed exclusively for Sanmar by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. Both vessels prioritise crew safety and operational stability, featuring dual CAT 3516E engines meeting IMO Tier III emission requirements, equipped with escort rated forward winches, aft winches, towing pins, and deck cranes and accommodating FiFi 1 firefighting capabilities for emergency response.
The total value of this landmark contract is €21 million. This investment reflects the commitment of the SVS joint venture to modernizing the Mediterranean fleet with high-bollard-pull assets—delivering 80 and 90 tonnes of pulling power respectively—to ensure the safe passage of ultra-large container ships and tankers.
“We have carefully listened to the requirements and jointly determined the exact scope of the tugboats, which resulted in two different hull sizes and engine power configurations. We are proud to deliver two of our most capable tugboats to our neighbors.” — Ali Gürün, Vice Chairman and CEO of Sanmar Shipyards
“These tugs aren’t just machines; they represent our passion for excellence and our promise to keep the Mediterranean’s waters safe and moving for generations to come. This partnership with Sanmar is a beautiful new chapter in our heritage.” — Dimitris Vernicos, President of Vernicos Scafi
This contract once again demonstrates Sanmar’s ability to deliver bespoke, high performance tug solutions that combine proven design with advanced engineering and build quality. It also reflects the company’s strong heritage as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
