Sanmar Shipyards chooses Auramarine’s methanol supply system for the world’s first methanol fuelled tugs

01.11.2024

Hamburg, Germany – 4.9.2024: Sanmar Shipyards, Turkey’s oldest tugboat company, has today announced that it has chosen Auramarine, the global provider of fuel supply and auxiliary systems for the marine, power and process industries, as its supplier for methanol supply systems on two large dual-fuelled methanol tugs. The tugs are owned by KOTUG Canada and will enter service in mid-2025, making them the first of their kind.

The tugs are based on the RAsalvor 4400-DFM design by Robert Allan Ltd., measuring 44 metres in length, with the capability to operate in some of the harshest environments in the world. They will serve Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) and will escort tankers from the harbour limits of Vancouver to the open Pacific Ocean through the commercial shipping lanes of the Salish Sea. The revolutionary vessels, which will be the most powerful escort tugs in Canada, capable of achieving a massive 120 tonnes of bollard pull, are scheduled to enter service in 2025. They will also provide significant environmental and ecological benefits through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and underwater radiated noise, which protects the Salish Sea’s resident Killer Whales.

Commenting on the development, John Bergman, CEO,Auramarine, said: “We are very pleased to work with Sanmar Shipyards, which is one of the leading tugboat builders in the world. We are delighted to be part of this unique project and are committed to supporting our clients on their decarbonisation journey. Auramarine’s tailormade design always ensures that our customers are provided with optimum solutions for their specific ship types and fleet requirements.”  

Hakan TUNÇ, Engineering Director at Sanmar Shipyards, continued: “Sanmar Shipyards, together with Auramarine, is contributing to a sustainable shipping industry with the world’s first large purpose-built dual fuel methanol escort tugs. This is a great opportunity for both companies to accelerate their decarbonisation journeys, innovate and build something totally new to support the industry going forward.”

The agreement between Sanmar Shipyards and Auramarine was signed today at the SMM Hamburg Exhibition.

 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Sanmar Shipyards

Sanmar has been providing services to the world’s leading operators since 1976 and is now leading the industry towards a new era of environmentally-friendly low and no-emission tugboats.

Using often exclusive designs from leading naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, Sanmar’s wide portfolio of vessels, constructed at its two eco-friendly purpose-built shipyards in Turkiye, now includes ground-breaking battery electric tugs, and tugboats using alternative fuels such as LNG and methanol.

With a large stock of tugs for immediate delivery and a big team of engineers ready to develop custom solutions, Sanmar is ready to deliver well-equipped vessels that meet the highest standards of finish, comfort, and safety.

Sanmar’s clients include many major international operators involved in a wide range of specialist activities, often in challenging conditions, including towage, ship-handling, salvage, emergency response and offshore operations. More information on Sanmar can be found on: www.sanmar.com.tr

About Auramarine Ltd

Auramarine is the trusted fuel and auxiliary systems expert for the marine, power and process industries. Our proud heritage stems from the company’s foundation in Finland in the early 1970s. Since then, Auramarine has delivered more than 16,000 robust and reliable auxiliary systems to our customers all over the world, continuously aiming for superior service and customer value. Auramarine has more than 100 employees with offices in Finland and China, and representatives in more than 25 countries. www.auramarine.com

Media contact: 
Nick Blythe
BLUE Communications 
nick@blue-comms.com