Med Marine is pushing ahead with a new generation of technologically equipped tugs supported by fresh supply agreements with Kongsberg Maritime. The partnership will bring advanced thrusters, electric winches and integrated systems into nine new designs, including the builder’s first fully electric tug.
Med Marine has agreed a major equipment package with Kongsberg Maritime for nine new tugs that will strengthen the Turkish builder’s position in specialised workboat construction. The contract includes azimuth thrusters across several design classes and a full suite of electric and hydraulic towing winches that reflect current trends in digital control, efficiency and environmentally focused tug operations.
Eight of the vessels will be fitted with Kongsberg Maritime’s US255 azimuth thrusters for Med Marine’s RAmparts 2500 W and RAstar 3200 W models. The company’s new all electric tug, known as the VoltRA, will use the US205 thruster. Together, the systems are intended to support tighter manoeuvring, stronger bollard pull and improved energy use across different propulsion setups. Kongsberg Maritime notes that the latest generation of the US series is compatible with hybrid and fully electric power arrangements, giving shipyards and operators more flexibility as the sector shifts toward cleaner tug concepts.
The package also covers five shipsets of Kongsberg Maritime’s new electric towing winches. These units were developed specifically for the next wave of electric tug operations and use frequency converter driven motors to improve control and cut energy use compared with traditional hydraulic equipment. Four additional shipsets of hydraulic winches will serve vessels where operators prefer conventional machinery or mixed propulsion systems.
Nils-Reidar Valle, Senior Vice President for Naval and Workboat Sales at Kongsberg Maritime, said: “This agreement with Med Marine marks a significant milestone for both our companies and for the maritime industry as a whole. By integrating our proven US-series thrusters and electric winches into Med Marine’s tug fleet, we’re demonstrating how advanced propulsion technology and energy-efficient engineering can work hand in hand to deliver powerful, sustainable performance. It’s an honour to support a project that sets a new benchmark for clean maritime innovation.”
Med Marine sees the VoltRA series as a key part of its strategy to build cleaner and more capable tugs for global clients. The design brings together electric propulsion, digital control systems and modern construction techniques at the company’s Ereğli Shipyard.
Yıldız Bozkurt Ozcan, General Manager of Med Marine, said: “This collaboration represents an important step forward for Med Marine as a global shipbuilder focused on innovation and sustainability. Partnering with Kongsberg Maritime enables us to integrate world-class propulsion and deck machinery solutions with our proven shipbuilding expertise. The ‘VoltRA’ series represents our shared vision to lead the tug industry toward a more efficient, electric, and environmentally responsible future.”
The development is another sign of how advanced propulsion and digital systems are shaping the next generation of workboats, with specialised yards like Med Marine playing a central role in that transition.
