SD AISEMAHT becomes the world’s first dual-fuel methanol escort and rescue tug to achieve full ABS class certification
Turkish tug builder Sanmar Shipyards has achieved another major milestone in sustainable maritime innovation after SD AISEMAHT, the world’s first dual-fuel methanol escort and rescue tug built for KOTUG Canada, officially received full class certification from ABS.
Constructed at Sanmar Shipyards and based on the RAstar 4400-DFM design developed by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd., the 44-metre vessel is one of two next-generation escort and rescue tugs supporting Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP). The vessel will escort tankers from the Port of Vancouver to the open Pacific Ocean.
Fully compliant with IMO Tier III emission standards, SD AISEMAHT establishes a new benchmark for future-ready escort and rescue tugs and demonstrates the growing viability of methanol as a cleaner marine fuel for high-performance harbour operations.
The vessel also holds ENVIRO, SUSTAIN-2(2020), and OSR-C2 class notations, highlighting its environmentally responsible design, sustainability-focused operational standards, and oil spill response capability.
The vessel’s class notations include ABS ✠A1, Towing Vessel, Escort Vessel, FFV 1, ✠AMS, ✠ABCU, BP (115.12 MT). Additional notations include HAB(WB), IHM, QR, UWILD, and LFFS (DFD – Methanol).
Rüçhan Çıvgın, Commercial Director of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “The full class certification of SD AISEMAHT marks an important milestone for both Sanmar Shipyards and the maritime industry. This certification confirms not only the vessel’s technical excellence and operational capability, but also the practicality of alternative fuel solutions in demanding tug operations. SD AISEMAHT demonstrates that sustainability and high performance can successfully go hand in hand.”
