In its strategic drive to localise its defence manufacturing industries, Egypt has taken big strides in the domestic production of frigates, warships, and specialised marine tugboats. This aligns with the directives of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi who has frequently stressed that autonomous, indigenised industrial capacities are a pillar of national security in this era of rapid global changes.
Egypt is in the process of implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen its maritime manufacturing capabilities for both military and civilian purposes. The new rescue tugboats, pilot boats, and ferries it is manufacturing testify to its progress in this domain and to its commitment to ensuring the highest degrees of preparedness in the protection of our nation’s maritime interests and the vital Suez Canal waterway.
On 17 June the Egyptian Armed Forces announced the launch of the domestically manufactured tugboat, Ismailia 1. Designated as a type N 113 tugboat, it boasts a 190-ton bollard pull, or towing capacity. Constructed at the Alexandria Shipyard in accordance with the contract for manufacturing two tugboats for the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), the vessel entered service in a ceremony attended by Commander of the Naval Forces and Chairman of the Board of the Marine Industries and Services Organisation Lieutenant General Ashraf Atwa, and Chairman of the SCA Admiral Osama Rabie.
“The launch of the Ismailia 1, a massive, 190-ton bollard-pull rescue tug, marks a major leap forward in the localisation of heavy maritime manufactures in Egypt,” Admiral Rabie told Al-Ahram Weekly.
He stressed that the tugboat is not just a technologically sophisticated rescue vessel, but also a symbol of Egypt’s capacity to manufacture naval units that rival their global counterparts. “What we have achieved today is not merely the launch of a tugboat; it is a clear declaration of industrial maturity and national capacities. It is proof we can craft hope with our own hands.” Admiral Rabie added that a sister tugboat, the Ismailia 2, is currently being built.
He took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, praising his unwavering commitment to the modernisation and advancement of Egypt’s naval forces.
The Alexandria Shipyard, where the vessels are being constructed, is one of Egypt’s citadels of naval industrial development. The Egyptian Armed Forces’ cooperation with the shipyard is not a recent phenomenon, Admiral Rabie said. “It has a long history that reflects the confidence in this national manufacturing institution, which has lived up to its reputation.”
The SCA chairman has been enthusiastic about the project from the start. “The towing capacity of these tugboats makes them the most powerful in the region. This is the first time that such high-spec rescue tugs have been built in Egypt.”
He underscored the strategic necessity of having such specialised rescue tugs in the country’s naval fleet, adding that Ismailia 1 and 2 will form the core of maritime security in the Suez Canal and Egyptian territorial waters.
He also said that the Port Said and Suez shipyards, which are affiliated with the SCA, have produced eight tugboats with a 75-ton bollard pull. These are currently in service in the canal. In fact, one of them was instrumental to the successful refloating of the Ever Given, the mammoth container ship that ran aground in the Suez Canal in March 2021.
According to the SCA chairman, Egypt is steadily becoming self-reliant not just in the manufacture of tugboats and ferries, but all maritime units. “What we’re seeing is a true manifestation of the Egyptian ability to turn vision into reality. I salute all the engineers, technicians and workers who were involved in this project” and extended his gratitude to President Al-Sisi for his continued support of national development projects.
Chairman of the Alexandria Shipyard Rear Admiral Hossameddin Kotb described the launch of Ismailia 1 as a “landmark in the localisation of heavy maritime industry in Egypt”. He added that the shipyard won the tender to build the Ismailia 1 and 2 amid fierce international competition.
The Alexandria Shipyard underwent extensive upgrades after it was transferred to military ownership.
Since its reopening in 2015, under a directive from President Al-Sisi, the establishment entered a new phase of development and production, Kotb told the Weekly. Since then, it has built three Gowind-class corvettes as well as its first MEKO-class frigate. In addition, it launched a new production line for Azimuth tugboats. These are tugs with an 85-ton bollard pull. They are now being marketed globally and also being manufactured in the SCA’s southern shipyard.
It was quite challenging to complete Ismailia 1 within the contractual execution period of just over 16 months. However, Alexandria Shipyard “worked confidently and diligently, out of its commitment to the higher national interest”. This accomplishment “is proof that Egypt is capable of implementing complex projects and ensuring the security of one of the world’s most important maritime passages using purely Egyptian manpower.”
Kotb added that the Alexandria Shipyard will soon follow through on that achievement by delivering the Ismailia 2 in the last quarter of this year. The second tugboat will bolster the SCA’s operations, including the tasks involved in ensuring maritime security in and around the canal.
Expressing his gratitude for the support from both Admiral Rabie and Vice Admiral Atwa, Rear Admiral Kotb seconded Rabie’s salute to Egyptian engineers, technicians and workers. “These people are the foundation of this achievement, which is the fruit of a clear vision, a supportive political will, and a strong national drive that combines industrial professionalism and faith in domestic manufacturing.”
* A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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