Cairo: Admiral Osama Rabiee, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), announced the successful completion of trials and the delivery of the tugboats "Azm 3" and "Azm 4," each boasting a 90-ton bollard pull, sailing from Safaga to the Suez Canal to join the fleet. Built in partnership with the South Red Sea Shipyard, these 90-ton vessels are 32 meters long and designed to enhance the Authority's towing and maneuvering capabilities with a top speed of 12 knots, Rabiee said.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Rabiee also inspected the trial launch of a luxury yacht and the construction of three fiberglass excursion boats. The visit highlighted the modernization of the Suez Canal Modern Boats Company, which is now installing cutting-edge international machinery for wood-shaping, further localizing the production of high-end maritime units within the Free Zone.
Admiral Rabiee reviewed the shipyard's expansion and the progress of six more "Azm" tugboats. He specifically ordered the accelerated assembly of "Azm 11" and "Azm 12", which are designated for international sale, with a scheduled launch set for January 2027 to meet export demands. Construction of the deep-sea vessels "Rizq 2" and "Rizq 3" is moving into the mechanical phase, utilizing high-end Belgian engines.
Rabiee stressed that these efforts represent a strategic leap in localizing maritime manufacturing, promoting the "Made in Egypt" brand to serve both local ports and international export markets. Mostafa El-Degheishi highlighted that the partnership with the Suez Canal Authority has been transformative for the South Red Sea Shipyard. This alliance has not only increased production capacity but also allowed the company to modernize its infrastructure and master the construction of specialized maritime vessels.
At the end of his visit, Admiral Rabiee praised the workforce and emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. He stressed that meeting delivery deadlines and executing the shipyard's ambitious growth plans are critical to maintaining the SCA's strategic maritime objectives.