Suez Canal's 'Ismailia 1' Becomes Middle East’s Largest Rescue Tug

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has introduced the Middle East’s most powerful rescue tug, Ismailia 1, as part of its ongoing effort to modernise canal operations and enhance environmental sustainability. Built by Alexandria Shipyard (ASY), the vessel is the first of two tugs commissioned to support the authority’s fleet.

With a bollard pull capacity of 190 tons, Ismailia 1 measures 71.6 metres in length, 18.5 metres in width, has a draft of 7 metres, and can reach speeds of up to 16 knots. The tug is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning (DP) system for precision manoeuvring and a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that reduces carbon emissions — a key element of the SCA’s “Green Canal” initiative.

The launch marks the most extensive expansion of the SCA’s tugboat fleet in three decades. Thirty new vessels have already been added, with bollard pull capacities ranging from 9 to 190 tons, aimed at strengthening canal operations and emergency response capabilities.

The project also aligns with Egypt’s broader maritime strategy to enhance domestic shipbuilding capacity and foster strategic industrial partnerships. Alexandria Shipyard, founded in 1962 and operating under the Ministry of Defence, has been a central force in the country’s maritime sector, responsible for a large share of Egypt’s commercial fleet and the nation’s only domestically built oil rig.

The construction of Ismailia 1 supports the SCA’s localisation goals by developing internal manufacturing capabilities in collaboration with public institutions and private sector partners. The second vessel in the series, Ismailia 2, is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025.