The Coast Guard's Fleet Continues to Strengthen: Contract Signed with UZMAR Shipyard for Two New Emergency Response Tugboats

ISTANBUL - The General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM), which is the greatest assurance of navigation, life, property, and environmental safety in Turkish waters, continues to enhance its operational capabilities with domestic and national productions. According to a statement made by KEGM General Manager Mustafa Bankaoğlu on the social media platform X, an important contract has been signed with UZMAR Shipyard for new maritime vessels that will join the institution's fleet.

The new construction contract between the institutions was signed on behalf of KEGM by General Manager Mustafa Bankaoğlu and on behalf of UZMAR Shipyard by Chairman of the Board A. Noyan Altuğ. This signature, between KEGM, which operates 24/7 in the world's most challenging and narrow waterways, and UZMAR, known in the industry as the 'Tugboat Factory' and exporting ships worldwide, is actually based on a highly successful and deep-rooted history. When examining sectoral news sources and institutional histories, it is clear that the two giants have previously worked shoulder to shoulder on major projects for the safety of our seas. After the contract signed in 2020, UZMAR Shipyard constructed the 80-ton towing capacity Robert Allan design RAstar 3200W series tugboats 'Kurtarma 13' and 'Kurtarma 14' in a record time in 2021, despite the pandemic conditions, bringing them into the KEGM fleet. During the launch ceremonies at that time, UZMAR Chairman Noyan Altuğ referred to producing and delivering the world's highest quality tugboats to his country and a prestigious institution like the Coast Guard as a 'doctoral thesis' and 'diploma.'

In his post, Bankaoğlu stated, 'The contract has been signed with UZMAR Shipyard for the 3rd phase of the procurement of 6 newly constructed emergency response tugboats, which includes 2 tugboats with a towing capacity of 85 tons,' announcing that the security infrastructure in the Turkish Straits and surrounding seas will be further strengthened.

This latest signature, part of the 'Procurement of 6 Emergency Response Tugboats' project, which initiated the tender process last March, forms the most recent link in the strong collaboration between UZMAR and KEGM.

A Deep-rooted Collaboration Between KEGM and UZMAR: Previous Orders Shine

The harmonious working relationship between the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the globally recognized UZMAR Shipyard dates back several years. UZMAR has undertaken many successful projects to meet KEGM's needs in challenging maritime conditions.

In particular, with the agreement signed in 2020, UZMAR constructed two RAstar 3200W series emergency response and escort tugboats ('Kurtarma 13', etc.) with a towing capacity of 80 tons for KEGM. Recently, two giant emergency response tugboats with a towing capacity of 130 tons and six pilot service boats, also built at UZMAR Shipyard, were commissioned into the KEGM fleet in a grand ceremony held in December 2025. These previous orders clearly demonstrate the strategic contribution of the collaboration between the two institutions to Turkey's maritime safety. The newly contracted tugboats with a towing capacity of 85 tons are also expected to maintain these superior service standards.

Protector of the Turkish Straits: General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM)

Operating 24/7 in the 'Blue Homeland,' particularly in the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits, which are among the world's most challenging waterways, KEGM plays a vital role in ship traffic services, rescue assistance, towing, and pilotage. Serving tens of thousands of ships annually, the institution continuously modernizes its fleet in response to increasing maritime traffic and changing ship tonnages, preventing possible accidents and environmental disasters. These new 85-ton tugboats will play an active role in the field with their superior maneuverability in ship salvage, firefighting, escort, and port services.

A World-Class Turkish Brand: UZMAR Shipyard

Referred to as the 'Workboat and Tugboat Factory,' UZMAR Shipyard ranks among the leading maritime companies not only in Turkey but also in the world. Exporting the maritime vessels it constructs, built with advanced engineering infrastructure and innovative production techniques, to all corners of the world from the Netherlands to Australia, UZMAR significantly contributes to Turkey's 'domestic and national defense/production' initiative in the civil maritime sector.

With the construction of the two new tugboats, Turkey will once again prove the international standards achieved in local engineering, design, and shipbuilding while increasing its dominance in its territorial waters. The delivered tugboats are expected to be launched from the slipway shortly and take their place in the proud fleet of the Coast Guard.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye