Swedish company Berg Propulsion has secured a contract to supply propulsion systems and control technology for a new series of tugboats that will become the most powerful diesel-electric tugs ever built in Turkey.
The four advanced tugboats were ordered by Smit Lamnalco at the Turkish Uzmar Shipyard and will initially operate in French Guiana, supporting offshore and firefighting operations.
According to Berg Propulsion, each vessel will deliver more than 130 tonnes of bollard pull, marking a significant step forward compared to previous hybrid-electric tug projects completed by Uzmar.
The vessels are based on the RAmpage 6000-DE design by Robert Allan and will each measure approximately 60 meters in length. Their propulsion package includes:
- two MTA836 Z-drive azimuth thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers;
- two MTT216 controllable-pitch bow thrusters;
- the Berg MPC800 control system.
Each tug will also feature two 4,000 kW electric motors, forming part of a diesel-electric propulsion setup designed to improve efficiency, operational flexibility, and maneuverability.
Mustafa Müslüm, Managing Director of Berg Propulsion Eurasia, said the contract represents both an important commercial achievement and a major technical milestone, further strengthening the company’s long-standing partnership with Uzmar.
The first equipment deliveries are scheduled for November 2026, while the final vessel in the Bureau Veritas-classed series is expected to be delivered by July 2027.
Uzmar CEO A. Noyan Altug noted that demand for greener and more flexible tugboat designs continues to grow among ports and marine terminals worldwide.
He added that the latest project combines high bollard pull, lower emissions, and greater operational flexibility, making diesel-electric configurations increasingly attractive for modern tug operations.
Berg Propulsion also highlighted a growing industry trend toward fewer but significantly more powerful tugboats, as operators seek higher performance and lower-emission propulsion systems for port and offshore operations.
