Shipping Arabia, November 11, 2026 – Egypt’s Damietta Port Authority has taken delivery of two new marine tugs, Metwally and Arafat, as part of a four-tug shipbuilding program designed to modernize its marine services fleet and strengthen port operational capabilities. The vessels were constructed by the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company under a contract covering four new tugs for the port authority.
The delivery represents another step in Damietta Port’s fleet modernization strategy, which aims to improve marine services, strengthen operational readiness and enhance the efficiency of vessel assistance operations.
The handover ceremony took place at the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company, attended by senior officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Transport, Damietta Port Authority, the Egyptian Navy and other maritime organizations.
New Damietta Port Tugs Feature 70-Tonne Bollard Pull
The two new tugs share identical technical specifications and feature tractor-type propulsion arrangements designed to provide high maneuverability and precise control during towing and vessel assistance operations.
Each vessel measures 35 meters in length, with a beam of 11.5 meters and a draft of 6.10 meters. Both tugs have a bollard pull capacity of 70 tonnes and can reach speeds of 12 knots at full load.
Their tractor configurations provide maneuvering capabilities suited to port towing and ship assistance operations, supporting the authority’s efforts to improve marine service efficiency.
The delivery forms part of a broader contract awarded to the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company for four marine tugs. The project aims to enhance the capabilities of Damietta Port’s operational fleet and support its current and future requirements.
Egyptian Maritime Authorities Highlight Shipbuilding Cooperation
The handover ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Dr. Nihad Shahin, Egypt’s Vice Minister of Transport for Maritime Transport, and Rear Admiral Tarek Adly Abdallah, Chairman of Damietta Port Authority.
Other participants included Rear Admiral Sherif Zaki Bassiouni Debis, representing Egyptian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Mahmoud Fawzy, and Rear Admiral Yasser Fathy El Sherif, Director General of the Maritime Industries and Services Organization.
Rear Admiral Khaled Khalil Qonsowa, Chairman of the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company, also attended alongside senior representatives of Egyptian port authorities and other transport organizations.
During the ceremony, Qonsowa outlined the company’s experience in constructing marine vessels and highlighted its specialized engineering and technical capabilities. He emphasized the importance of cooperation with Egyptian port authorities in developing marine service fleets.
Vice Minister Nihad Shahin also praised the cooperation between the Ministry of Transport, its affiliated port authorities and the Egyptian Ship Repair and Building Company. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to continuing and strengthening this collaboration.
The ceremony included a documentary presentation highlighting the construction stages of several marine and inland waterway vessels built by the company for Egyptian port authorities.
Following the official proceedings, attendees observed the launching and handover of several newly constructed marine and river vessels for different authorities, including Metwally and Arafat for Damietta Port Authority.
Strengthening Damietta Port’s Marine Services Fleet
The addition of Metwally and Arafat supports Damietta Port Authority’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its marine assets and enhance the operational readiness of its tug fleet.
The four-tug construction program forms part of the authority’s strategy to modernize its marine service vessels and improve the efficiency of navigational support operations.
Through cooperation with specialized Egyptian shipbuilding companies, Damietta Port Authority aims to develop its operational capabilities while supporting domestic shipbuilding expertise.
The latest delivery reflects the authority’s continuing investment in marine infrastructure and fleet development to meet existing operational demands and support future port expansion requirements.
Source: Damietta Port Authority
