Greek towage operator NEMECA has ordered an 80+ tonne bollard pull tug from SANMAR Shipyards, building on a partnership established with the delivery of escort tug GAIA in 2025
SANMAR Shipyards has signed a contract with Greek towage operator NEMECA for the construction of a new BOĞAÇAY Class tug, BOĞAÇAY XCVII, as the company continues to expand and modernise its fleet in the Mediterranean.
The agreement was signed in Piraeus, Greece, on 6 October 2026, marking a further step in the relationship between the two companies following SANMAR’s delivery of GAIA to NEMECA in 2025. The RAstar 2900SX Class escort tug delivers 82 tonnes of bollard pull.
The new vessel is based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. The BOĞAÇAY series has established itself as one of Sanmar’s most iconic and successful tugboat lines globally, renowned for combining high power, superior manoeuvrability, and cost efficiency within compact dimensions.
BOĞAÇAY XCVII features an overall length of 24.4 meters, a beam of 12.0 meters, a depth of 4.5 meters, and a maximum operational draft of 5.45 meters. The tug is ready for future IMO Tier III compliance with her twin CAT 3516E main engines generating 2,350 kW each. Delivering a bollard pull of 80+ tonnes and a free-running speed of 13 knots, she is being built for demanding ship-handling, terminal, and escort operations. The vessel is equipped with FiFi 1 firefighting capabilities and provides modern accommodation for up to six crew members.
Rüçhan Çıvgın, Commercial Director of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “We are delighted to deepen our strategic partnership with NEMECA as they continue to make substantial investments in high-performance, next-generation new buildings. NEMECA’s decision to return to Sanmar for another 80+ tonne bollard pull vessel underscores their clear commitment to enhancing fleet power, operational safety, and sustainable towage capacity in the region.“
“The BOĞAÇAY Class delivers heavy-duty power and exceptional versatility in a compact footprint—qualities that are essential for modernising regional port services. We are proud to support NEMECA’s continuous growth and look forward to delivering another state-of-the-art tug to bolster their operational footprint in Greece.”
Mario Mizzi, Managing Director of NEMECA Maritime, echoed Ruchan’s comments, stating: “For NEMECA, fleet development and modernisation are about selecting the right vessels to enhance the quality of service we provide to our valued clients, further strengthen the safety of our operations, and equip our crews with state-of-the-art capabilities that meet the evolving demands of today’s major Greek ports.“
“The new vessel will combine advanced technology, high power and compact design, providing us with greater operational flexibility in busy port environments where manoeuvrability, efficiency and reliability are essential.“
“We are pleased to further strengthen our relationship with SANMAR as we continue to develop our fleet with purpose, responsibility and a clear focus on operational excellence.”
