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Al-Ahram Weekly
11-07-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ismailia 1 tugboat hits the water - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Ismailia 1, a made-in-Egypt tugboat with a towing capacity of 190 tons, was launched last week, marking an important step towards the localisation of heavy maritime manufacturing. In its strategic drive to localise its defence manufacturing industries, Egypt has taken big strides in the domestic production of frigates, warships, and specialised marine tugboats. This aligns with the directives of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi who has frequently stressed that autonomous, indigenised industrial capacities are a pillar of national security in this era of rapid global changes. Egypt is in the process of implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen its maritime manufacturing capabilities for both military and civilian purposes. The new rescue tugboats, pilot boats, and ferries it is manufacturing testify to its progress in this domain and to its commitment to ensuring the highest degrees of preparedness in the protection of our nation's maritime interests and the vital Suez Canal waterway. On 17 June the Egyptian Armed Forces announced the launch of the domestically manufactured tugboat, Ismailia 1. Designated as a type N 113 tugboat, it boasts a 190-ton bollard pull, or towing capacity. Constructed at the Alexandria Shipyard in accordance with the contract for manufacturing two tugboats for the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), the vessel entered service in a ceremony attended by Commander of the Naval Forces and Chairman of the Board of the Marine Industries and Services Organisation Lieutenant General Ashraf Atwa, and Chairman of the SCA Admiral Osama Rabie. 'The launch of the Ismailia 1, a massive, 190-ton bollard-pull rescue tug, marks a major leap forward in the localisation of heavy maritime manufactures in Egypt,' Admiral Rabie told Al-Ahram Weekly. He stressed that the tugboat is not just a technologically sophisticated rescue vessel, but also a symbol of Egypt's capacity to manufacture naval units that rival their global counterparts. 'What we have achieved today is not merely the launch of a tugboat; it is a clear declaration of industrial maturity and national capacities. It is proof we can craft hope with our own hands.' Admiral Rabie added that a sister tugboat, the Ismailia 2, is currently being built. He took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, praising his unwavering commitment to the modernisation and advancement of Egypt's naval forces. The Alexandria Shipyard, where the vessels are being constructed, is one of Egypt's citadels of naval industrial development. The Egyptian Armed Forces' cooperation with the shipyard is not a recent phenomenon, Admiral Rabie said. 'It has a long history that reflects the confidence in this national manufacturing institution, which has lived up to its reputation.' The SCA chairman has been enthusiastic about the project from the start. 'The towing capacity of these tugboats makes them the most powerful in the region. This is the first time that such high-spec rescue tugs have been built in Egypt.' He underscored the strategic necessity of having such specialised rescue tugs in the country's naval fleet, adding that Ismailia 1 and 2 will form the core of maritime security in the Suez Canal and Egyptian territorial waters. He also said that the Port Said and Suez shipyards, which are affiliated with the SCA, have produced eight tugboats with a 75-ton bollard pull. These are currently in service in the canal. In fact, one of them was instrumental to the successful refloating of the Ever Given, the mammoth container ship that ran aground in the Suez Canal in March 2021. According to the SCA chairman, Egypt is steadily becoming self-reliant not just in the manufacture of tugboats and ferries, but all maritime units. 'What we're seeing is a true manifestation of the Egyptian ability to turn vision into reality. I salute all the engineers, technicians and workers who were involved in this project' and extended his gratitude to President Al-Sisi for his continued support of national development projects. Chairman of the Alexandria Shipyard Rear Admiral Hossameddin Kotb described the launch of Ismailia 1 as a 'landmark in the localisation of heavy maritime industry in Egypt'. He added that the shipyard won the tender to build the Ismailia 1 and 2 amid fierce international competition. The Alexandria Shipyard underwent extensive upgrades after it was transferred to military ownership. Since its reopening in 2015, under a directive from President Al-Sisi, the establishment entered a new phase of development and production, Kotb told the Weekly. Since then, it has built three Gowind-class corvettes as well as its first MEKO-class frigate. In addition, it launched a new production line for Azimuth tugboats. These are tugs with an 85-ton bollard pull. They are now being marketed globally and also being manufactured in the SCA's southern shipyard. It was quite challenging to complete Ismailia 1 within the contractual execution period of just over 16 months. However, Alexandria Shipyard 'worked confidently and diligently, out of its commitment to the higher national interest'. This accomplishment 'is proof that Egypt is capable of implementing complex projects and ensuring the security of one of the world's most important maritime passages using purely Egyptian manpower.' Kotb added that the Alexandria Shipyard will soon follow through on that achievement by delivering the Ismailia 2 in the last quarter of this year. The second tugboat will bolster the SCA's operations, including the tasks involved in ensuring maritime security in and around the canal. Expressing his gratitude for the support from both Admiral Rabie and Vice Admiral Atwa, Rear Admiral Kotb seconded Rabie's salute to Egyptian engineers, technicians and workers. 'These people are the foundation of this achievement, which is the fruit of a clear vision, a supportive political will, and a strong national drive that combines industrial professionalism and faith in domestic manufacturing.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Middle East
05-06-2025
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Navy receives first RAstar 3200 ASD tug from Alexandria Shipyard Co.
CAIRO, June 5 (MENA) - Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Organization (MAISO) has witnessed the handover of "Ras El Hikma" tug of the Azimuth type "RAstar 3200 ASD" — the first of three tugs being built for the Egyptian Navy. The tug was built at the Alexandria Shipyard in cooperation with the French classification society BV, under a contract agreement between the Navy and the Alexandria Shipyard Company. This comes in light of the political leadership's directives for localizing national industries and the Armed Forces General Command's commitment to continuously developing military capabilities and equipment. (MENA) I S N/R E E
See - Sada Elbalad
05-06-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Receives First Domestically Built ASD Tugboat 'Ras El-Hekma
H-Tayea As part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to localize military industrial capabilities and strengthen naval operational readiness, the Egyptian Navy has officially taken delivery of its first Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, named Ras El-Hekma. The vessel is the first of three ASD tugboats being built at the Alexandria Shipyard in collaboration with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The handover ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, along with senior naval officials and representatives from global marine equipment suppliers. The Ras El-Hekma tugboat is of the RAstar 3200 class, known for its high-performance capabilities, including a competitive cost, enhanced maneuverability, and a powerful bollard pull capacity of 85 tons. The vessel is outfitted with state-of-the-art systems from leading international marine technology companies. This delivery marks a significant milestone in Egypt's naval industrial development. Alexandria Shipyard aims to position itself as a regional hub for the production of ASD tugboats, with ambitions to expand into global markets in the coming years. The initiative is part of a broader strategic directive by Egypt's political and military leadership to modernize the armed forces and promote local defense manufacturing. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Al-Ahram Weekly
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's Navy receives first locally built Azimuth tugboat "Ras El-Hekma" from Alexandria Shipyard - Defence
The Egyptian Navy received its first locally built Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, Ras El-Hekma, from Alexandria Shipyard on Thursday, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced. According to the Egyptian army, the tugboat is the first of three being constructed for the Navy under a contract between the Navy and Alexandria Shipyard, in cooperation with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The Ras El-Hekma tugboat (RASTR 3200 model) is competitive in price and has a powerful 85-ton bollard pull capacity and exceptional manoeuvrability. It is equipped with systems from top global maritime suppliers. This is the first time Egypt's marine industry has produced this model of tugboats. In manufacturing it, Alexandria Shipyard aims to enter the global tugboat market and aspires to become a regional hub for building and exporting this class of tugboats in the coming phase. Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, attended the handover ceremony. In addition, Rear Admiral Hossam El-Din Ezzat, Chairman of Alexandria Shipyard, senior Navy officials, BV representatives, and delegates from leading international maritime companies attended the event. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt, Greece discuss boosting naval cooperation
Commander of the Egyptian Navy Ashraf Atwa met with Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Dimitrios Kataras and his accompanying delegation during his official visit to the navy command in Alexandria. This comes within the framework of the keenness of the Armed Forces to boost aspects of military cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries. The meeting discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and means to promote naval cooperation in the coming stage. Both sides asserted the importance of supporting strategic partnership relations between the Egyptian and Greek armed forces within the framework of supporting bilateral ties between both countries in the different domains.
