In a first step on the path of exporting, Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, witnessed the signing ceremony of an agreement contract between Misr Tugboats Factory and the Italian NERI Group to sell two 90-ton bollard-pull tugboats.
The ceremony was attended by Adm. Ashraf Atwa, Deputy Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, along with a number of the SCA’s Board Members and leading officials, and Eng. Hassan Kamal, Deputy Chairman of Egypt Yachts, and was held at Al-Irshad building at the city of Ismailia. The contract was signed by Mr. Mostafa El-Dougishy, CEO of Egypt Yachts, and Mr. Piero Neri, Chairman of the Italian NERI Group.
The contract stipulates that Misr Tugboats Factory will sell two tugboats of a bollard-pull capacity of 90 tons and ASD propellers to the Italian NERI Group.
Misr Tugboats Factory is considered an industrial entity under Egypt Yachts which itself is a partnership between the Suez Canal Authority and South Red Sea Shipyard. All this is in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to promote partnerships with the private sector with the aim of localizing maritime industries and exporting.
Adm. Rabiee highlighted that this contract is considered a testimony of trust reflecting the success of the SCA’s efforts in localizing maritime industries and raising the slogan of Made in Egypt at world-class quality, higher and across wider horizons that are more open to the entire world.
The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority affirmed that the Suez Canal’s longstanding global reputation grants its projects international attention and guarantees enhanced opportunities for cooperation, partnership, and exchange of expertise with numerous entities and institutions in friendly and partner countries.
Admiral Rabiee emphasized that the commencement of foreign export marks a new and unprecedented achievement that restores leadership to national shipyards and contributes to their return to regional competition. H. E. also underscored that Misr Tugboats Factory has presented a successful model of partnership with the private sector and managed to achieve its strategic objectives by exporting abroad within a record time not exceeding a year and a half.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mostafa El-Dougishy, CEO of Egypt Yachts, pointed out that the two tugboats under contract are of the "Rastar 3200-W" model, featuring a unique design suitable for operations in ports, sea canals, and various other uses.
He added that the two tugboats under contract are scheduled to be delivered during the first quarter of next year, God willing, in parallel with the ongoing construction of AZM-class tugboats being built for the Suez Canal Authority. This comes in addition to the project of building 12 deep-sea fishing vessels equipped with the latest fishing systems, cleaning and rapid freezing technologies, and large storage capacity.
On his part, Mr. Piero NERI, Chairman of the Italian Group, expressed his pleasure in concluding the contract with the Suez Canal Authority to purchase two tugboats from Misr Tugboats Factory to join the Group's tugboats fleet. This represents the beginning of joint cooperation between the two parties. He expressed his hope that the coming period will witness further cooperation through new projects and contracts that meet the requirements of the NERI Group.
It's worth mentioning that the Italian NERI Group was established in 1895 and specializes in providing maritime services and solutions, as well as operating and chartering tugboats for use in maritime salvage, firefighting, berthing and docking services in ports, among other uses. The Group’s operations extend across several countries in the Mediterranean region.
