Made in Egypt: Tugboats Built in Suez Set Sail for Italy
Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has marked a historic milestone by exporting its first locally built tugboats. Two high-powered 90-ton tugboats are set to be delivered to Italy’s NERI Group, signaling Egypt’s growing capabilities in shipbuilding and maritime engineering.
The contract was signed at the SCA headquarters in Ismailia, with SCA Chairman Osama Rabie and Mostafa El-Degishi, CEO of Suez Canal Modern Boats, in attendance, along with representatives from NERI Group. The agreement reflects Egypt’s strategic plan to localize shipbuilding and enter the international market with high-quality, domestically manufactured vessels.
Each tugboat is based on the Rastar 3200-W class, known for its performance, stability, and towing capacity in ports and coastal waters. Delivery to NERI Group is scheduled for the first quarter of next year, marking the first Egyptian-built tugboats to serve in international waters.
Chairman Rabie described the deal as a vote of confidence in Egyptian engineering, emphasizing that it strengthens the “Made in Egypt” brand and restores national shipyards’ competitiveness. The project is part of broader efforts to revive Egypt’s maritime manufacturing industry, including the ongoing development of Azm-class tugboats and modern deep-sea fishing vessels.
NERI Group Chairman Piero Neri highlighted that the agreement is the beginning of long-term industrial collaboration between Italy and Egypt, with potential for future joint projects in shipbuilding and maritime services. This partnership not only enhances Egypt’s international reputation but also supports the growth of public-private collaboration in the marine sector.
The tugboat export also underscores Egypt’s strategic vision for industrial development and economic diversification, creating new jobs, boosting technical expertise, and attracting foreign investment. For WPigeon Marine, this growth in local shipbuilding reinforces the company’s role in providing comprehensive marine services, including vessel supplies, technical support, and port agency operations across Egyptian ports.
About WPigeon Marine
WPigeon Marine is a leading maritime services provider based in Port Said, Egypt, offering ship chandling, technical supplies, port agency, crew logistics, and marine support to international fleets.
This milestone export demonstrates Egypt’s growing expertise in shipbuilding, positioning the country as a reliable international partner and highlighting the importance of high-quality marine services provided by companies like WPigeon Marine.
