UZMAR and Robert Allan Developing Methanol-Fueled Tugboats

UZMAR Shipyard and Robert Allan Ltd have signed an agreement to design and build a new series of methanol-fueled tugboats. These new designs, exclusive to UZMAR, represent a new generation of lower emission tugs that owners are demanding to meet CO2 reduction targets. 

The agreement was signed for four new designs between UZMAR CEO Mr. Ahmet Noyan Altug and Robert Allan Ltd CEO Mr. Mike Fitzpatrick over a video call on April 28.

The new series will have improved energy efficiency and will be able to generate a significant amount of annual CO2 emissions savings. The methanol fuelled series will have LOA between 25 meters to 32 meters and include one tractor tug design.

"It is an exciting step forward for us to sign these new design contracts with UZMAR. The close cooperation between RAL and UZMAR that has developed over more than 25 years of working together facilitates the efficient transfer of knowledge between our engineering teams,” said Mr. Fitzpatrick. “I am confident that we will successfully execute these milestone projects as we have done many times together in the past."

Mr. Altug said, “According to our research that has been ongoing for more than five years, our team believes that within the alternative fuels to fossil fuels, the most applicable and efficient choice for tugboats is methanol. With our long-standing camaraderie and mutual understanding with RAL, we always overcame challenging projects with great success. Signing contracts for this new methanol-powered design series exclusive to UZMAR is a step toward a new era for all of us. We aim to start building the tugs in the last quarter of 2022, and we will reveal the specifications in the following days."

The name of the methanol-powered tugboat series will be unveiled soon by UZMAR and Robert Allan Ltd. UZMAR is planning to replace all the tugboats in its fleet with eco-friendly newbuilds and offer the global market a solution for their needs for sustainable lower emission vessels. 

This story is sponsored by UZMAR Shipyard.