Egypt’s Shipbuilding Capability Advances with the Launch of AZM 3 and AZM 4 Tugboats
Egypt has taken a significant step in its maritime industry with the launch of two locally built tugboats, AZM 3 and AZM 4, each boasting a bollard pull capacity of 90 tons. The launch ceremony was held at Misr Tugboats Factory in Safaga and attended by Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). These vessels form part of an ambitious programme to modernize Egypt’s maritime fleet and strengthen its shipbuilding capabilities.
Built under the supervision of the South Red Sea Shipyard, the craft mark a vital milestone in Egypt’s local ship-manufacturing drive. Each tugboat measures 32 metres in length with a beam of 13.5 metres and a draft of 6 metres. They are designed to perform heavy-duty towing and port support operations with high reliability and efficiency.
At the ceremony, Chairman Rabie emphasized that the factory’s performance represents a new chapter in the localization of marine unit construction in Egypt. He also stated that work is ongoing at pace, with multiple foreign offers already submitted to purchase Egyptian-built vessels reflecting growing international confidence in Egypt’s shipbuilding brand.
The launch of AZM 3 and AZM 4 follows the earlier completion of AZM 1 and AZM 2 and is part of a broader initiative to build ten 90-ton tugboats for the SCA, alongside twelve deep-sea fishing vessels to broaden Egypt’s ship-manufacturing base. Major infrastructure developments at the South Red Sea Shipyard—from new quays to advanced workshops and storage facilities—are further reinforcing the country’s industrial readiness.
For maritime-service and ship-supply companies operating in Egypt, this progress opens new opportunities. With shipbuilding activities gaining momentum, logistics, supplies and vessel-support services are increasingly in demand. Good Face Marine Services & Supplier is positioned to benefit from and support this evolving ecosystem, ensuring vessels calling Egypt’s ports receive timely and high-quality supply and technical support.
