Latest news with #AzimuthSternDrive
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Receives First Domestically Built ASD Tugboat 'Ras El-Hekma
H-Tayea As part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to localize military industrial capabilities and strengthen naval operational readiness, the Egyptian Navy has officially taken delivery of its first Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, named Ras El-Hekma. The vessel is the first of three ASD tugboats being built at the Alexandria Shipyard in collaboration with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The handover ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, along with senior naval officials and representatives from global marine equipment suppliers. The Ras El-Hekma tugboat is of the RAstar 3200 class, known for its high-performance capabilities, including a competitive cost, enhanced maneuverability, and a powerful bollard pull capacity of 85 tons. The vessel is outfitted with state-of-the-art systems from leading international marine technology companies. This delivery marks a significant milestone in Egypt's naval industrial development. Alexandria Shipyard aims to position itself as a regional hub for the production of ASD tugboats, with ambitions to expand into global markets in the coming years. The initiative is part of a broader strategic directive by Egypt's political and military leadership to modernize the armed forces and promote local defense manufacturing. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's Navy receives first locally built Azimuth tugboat "Ras El-Hekma" from Alexandria Shipyard - Defence
The Egyptian Navy received its first locally built Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, Ras El-Hekma, from Alexandria Shipyard on Thursday, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced. According to the Egyptian army, the tugboat is the first of three being constructed for the Navy under a contract between the Navy and Alexandria Shipyard, in cooperation with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The Ras El-Hekma tugboat (RASTR 3200 model) is competitive in price and has a powerful 85-ton bollard pull capacity and exceptional manoeuvrability. It is equipped with systems from top global maritime suppliers. This is the first time Egypt's marine industry has produced this model of tugboats. In manufacturing it, Alexandria Shipyard aims to enter the global tugboat market and aspires to become a regional hub for building and exporting this class of tugboats in the coming phase. Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, attended the handover ceremony. In addition, Rear Admiral Hossam El-Din Ezzat, Chairman of Alexandria Shipyard, senior Navy officials, BV representatives, and delegates from leading international maritime companies attended the event. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian Navy's newest boats made in China
A new fleet of tug boats ordered for the Australian Navy by the Defence Department was secretly built at a Chinese shipyard under a $28 million contract awarded last year to a Dutch company. Certification documents uncovered by the ABC reveal the first of three "harbour tugs" was completed in late December at the Damen company's "state-of-the-art" Changde facility in Hunan province, before being delivered to Darwin earlier this year. In a letter sent from its Netherlands headquarters last year, Damen told the Defence Department the tug boat build "will be heavily reliant upon established supply chains both in Australia and overseas" but did not specify any work would occur in China. "Therefore, to maximise opportunities for competitive (local) industry, Damen will implement proven systems and processes established that will ensure value-for-money for the Commonwealth of Australia," the company wrote in December. Damen Shipyards Changde says its workkers have been producing vessels built to the highest standards at competitive price levels for more than 30 years. ( Damen ) According to the Damen correspondence, the second of its Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) 2111 tug boats was due to arrive in Australia by May this year, but the ABC has confirmed a third vessel will also be delivered before the end of 2025. " It is firmly understood that the Commonwealth of Australia needs a partner with this endeavour who has significant shipbuilding and sustainment experience and is willing to share knowledge, appropriate intellectual property and individual skills. " "The value of the Contract is approximately $28 million with an Australian contract expenditure percentage of 47% of the procurement of the 2 x ASD 2111 for the sustainment of the tugs over the life of type (est. 25 years)," the Damen letter states. In a statement Defence confirmed the tug boats are being built in China with a subsequent "fit out" occurring in Vietnam, but insisted they were not "Royal Australian Navy vessels, and will be operated and crewed by a civilian vessel operator". Nick Xenophon slams the decision to have new Army dress uniforms manufactured in China, despite Defence saying the option represents the "best value for money". A Department spokesperson told the ABC it is "retaining the option to crew the vessels in rare situations such as emergencies" and that similar tug boats have "provided harbour support to Defence for more than 10 years". Defence has declined to comment on if any possible Australian build options were examined, or whether the new 50-foot tug boats would be used to support visiting international warships. Responding to the revelations, the Opposition said Defence Minister Richard Marles had "serious questions to answer" including what he knew of the Chinese build and any security mitigations that might be needed. "Did Australia's Defence Minister give the green light for two Royal Australian Navy vessels to be built in a Chinese shipyard or was he not across his brief?", Opposition Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie demanded to know. " This is just another example of shocking mismanagement of Defence under the Albanese Government, and why Labor cannot be trusted with Australia's national security. " Mr Marles is yet to respond but in 2016 Labor heavily criticised the then Coalition government after the ABC revealed Last year, a Damen design was selected as the preferred option for the Australian Defence Force's new Landing Craft Heavy fleet, with eight of the vessels to be constructed in Western Australia by Austal.
