Berg Propulsion has secured a contract to supply propulsion systems and control technology for four advanced diesel-electric tugboats being built in Turkey for offshore operator Smit Lamnalco.
The vessels will be constructed at Uzmar Shipyard and are set to become the most powerful tugboats of their type ever built in Turkey, with each vessel capable of delivering more than 130 tonnes of bollard pull.
The first tug in the series is scheduled to receive Berg equipment in November 2026, while delivery of all four Bureau Veritas-classed vessels is expected by mid-2027.
The new 60-meter tugboats are based on the RAmpage 6000-DE design developed by Robert Allan Ltd and will feature two 4,000 kW electric motors as part of their diesel-electric propulsion system.
The propulsion package includes:
- two MTA836 Z-drive azimuth thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers;
- two MTT216 controllable-pitch bow thrusters;
- the Berg MPC800 control system.
The vessels will also be equipped with advanced firefighting capabilities and are intended for initial deployment in French Guiana to support offshore operations.
According to Berg Propulsion, the project reflects a growing market trend toward fewer but significantly more powerful tugboats, capable of handling larger vessels and performing more demanding offshore and terminal operations.
The use of diesel-electric propulsion systems also highlights the industry’s increasing focus on lower emissions, higher energy efficiency, and more compact onboard machinery layouts.
The contract further strengthens the long-term cooperation between Berg Propulsion and Uzmar Shipyard, while reinforcing Turkey’s position as a major international center for the design and construction of next-generation tugboats.
