A milestone in maritime innovation and collaboration was marked as UZMAR Shipyard celebrated the official delivery of five state-of-the-art tugs to global maritime leader KOTUG International.
The ceremony, attended by senior executives from both companies, highlighted the strength of the partnership and the shared commitment to advancing safety, reliability, and performance in offshore operations.
The event, attended by senior executives from both companies, highlighted the successful collaboration and shared commitment to excellence that brought this formidable new fleet to life.
The vessels — SD Wonder, SD Djoudj, SD Chatboul, SD Rosso, and SD Waalo — will support KOTUG’s long-term offshore terminal operations, four of them in Mauritania and Senegal, and one in Congo, providing essential towage and marine support services for the region’s advanced LNG infrastructure.
Built to the highest international standards, the tugs deliver 80 tonnes of bollard pull and are equipped with top-tier safety and environmental features, ensuring both reliability and sustainability in demanding offshore conditions.
The event was attended by KOTUG President & CEO Mr. Ard-Jan Kooren, UZMAR President Mr. A. Noyan Altug, senior executives, and distinguished guests from across the maritime industry. This delivery marks the completion of a significant five-vessel program developed in close collaboration between KOTUG and UZMAR.
Ard-Jan Kooren, President & CEO of KOTUG, said: “This milestone reflects more than the delivery of five vessels; it reflects The future of maritime excellence.Together with UZMAR, we have built not only cutting-edge tugboats but also the foundation for future growth in West Africa. Four of these vessels will support vital energy flows, strengthen port operations, and drive economic development in Mauritania and Senegal, and one in Congo. As a family-owned company, we take pride in collaborating with the communities we operate, while we accelerate the industry with cutting edge technology based on decades of experience and leading of the industry. Today, we celebrate engineering excellence, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of our industry.”
Mr. A. Noyan Altug, President & CEO of UZMAR, added: “What began 25 years ago as mutual respect between two companies has grown into a trusted partnership. With the delivery of these five vessels, we celebrate not only engineering excellence but also loyalty, shared values, and a friendship that stood the test of time.”
The delivery ceremony in İzmit brought together teams from both companies, honoring the engineers, welders, project managers, and crew whose craftsmanship and dedication made the project a success.
