The Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has signed contracts with Sanmar Shipyards totalling $33.46 million for four tug boats and two pilot boats.
The contracts were awarded following what Sanmar Shipyards described as a “hard-fought” international tendering process. In a statement, the company said it championed its “technologically-advanced” Kocacay range of powerful and efficient escort and harbour tugboats.
The Sanmar Kocacay class tugs feature a unique sponsoned hull form, proven to provide significantly enhanced escort towing performance.
Escort forces are enhanced by the effects of the sponsons as well as by the prominent foil-shaped escort skeg.
Three of the 32m x 13m x 5.6m high-powered LNG compatible tugs will have an impressive 75 tonnes of bollard pull (BP) ahead and astern, while the fourth will have an even greater BP of 85 tonnes, according to Sanmar.
The contracts with PQA for the ultra-modern tugs and two 20m pilot boats capable of 20 knots, were signed at a ceremony at the Ministry of Maritime office in Islamabad on 29 March 2021.
Ali Gurun, Vice President of Sanmar, said, “Sanmar has been delivering tugs to Pakistan since year 2000.
“We have tugs in KPT and PQA ports. However, this tender was one of the most challenging one due to tough competition.
“Our designers Robert Allan Ltd and supplier Kongsberg Marine have worked closely with Sanmar engineers to deliver best performance solution for PQA.”
