Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyards has successfully delivered a new high-performance harbour tug, KASTRITSI, to Bulgarian maritime operator VTC S.A., marking another milestone in their long-standing cooperation. The vessel will join VTC's fleet at the Port of Varna on the Black Sea, strengthening the port's towing, ship-handling, and maritime emergency response capabilities.

The delivery represents the fifth tugboat supplied by Sanmar to VTC since the two companies established their partnership in 2003. It also demonstrates the continuing international collaboration between shipbuilders, naval architects, and maritime operators in developing specialized vessels for modern port operations.

Advanced Vessel Design and Manoeuvrability

KASTRITSI is based on the RApport 2500 design developed by Canadian naval architecture and marine engineering company Robert Allan Ltd. The vessel incorporates an Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) propulsion configuration, combining powerful towing capabilities with high manoeuvrability in confined harbour environments.

Measuring 25.20 metres in overall length and 12.00 metres in beam, the tug has a maximum draught of only 4.20 metres. Its shallow-draught hull design enables safe and efficient operations in restricted waterways and relatively shallow port areas.

The vessel delivers an ahead bollard pull exceeding 50 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 12 knots. These performance characteristics make it suitable for assisting large commercial vessels during berthing and unberthing operations, as well as conducting coastal and offshore towing missions.

In addition to its towing capabilities, *KASTRITSI* is equipped with a FiFi-1 firefighting system, providing dedicated firefighting capability for maritime emergencies. The vessel also includes accommodation facilities for six crew members, supporting safe and efficient daily operations.

Strengthening Maritime Operations in the Black Sea

VTC S.A. provides harbour towage and marine services at the Bulgarian ports of Varna and Balchik. Its operations include vessel assistance, berthing and unberthing, mooring, coastal and offshore towing, and emergency response.

The addition of *KASTRITSI* will enhance the company's operational flexibility and ability to meet increasing demand for reliable port services.

The two companies have maintained a strong partnership for more than two decades. In 2003, Sanmar delivered three twin-screw tugboats, SANMAR XII, SANMAR XIII, and SANMAR XIV, to VTC. The cooperation continued in 2018 with the delivery of TICHA, another tug based on a Robert Allan design.

The latest delivery further strengthens this long-term relationship and reflects the importance of sustained cooperation in the development and modernization of harbour service fleets.

Advancing Specialized Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering

The successful delivery of KASTRITSI highlights the continued development of specialized tugboat technologies, particularly in shallow-water hull design, azimuth propulsion, high-performance towing, and integrated maritime safety systems.

As commercial ports accommodate larger vessels and face increasingly complex operational requirements, modern harbour tugs play an essential role in improving navigation safety, operational efficiency, and emergency preparedness.

For the international naval architecture and marine engineering community, the project provides an example of how advanced vessel design and close cooperation between shipbuilders and operators can address practical challenges in port operations.

The collaboration among Sanmar Shipyards, Robert Allan Ltd., and VTC S.A. illustrates the value of international expertise in delivering reliable, versatile, and technically advanced vessels to support the development of maritime infrastructure and global shipping.

Original Source: Sanmar Shipyards

Original Author: Sanmar Shipyards (individual author not specified)

Original Link: https://www.sanmar.com.tr/en/news-media-dl/news/sanmar-delivers-new-harbour-tug-to-long-standing-bulgarian-partner-vtc

Image Credit: Sanmar Shipyards