Safaga: Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Osama Rabie inspected the construction of various marine units at the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats in Safaga. This facility is a joint venture between the SCA and the South Red Sea Shipyard Company.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the visit is in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's instructions to promote local maritime industries and enhance collaboration with the private sector. It aimed to review the progress of 10 "Azm" class tugboats, each with a bollard pull of 90 tons, and 12 deep-sea fishing vessels.

The tour began with an inspection of the "Azm" class tugboats, where eight are currently being built following the delivery of Azm 1 and Azm 2. Azm 3 and Azm 4 are set to be delivered by the end of this month after testing. The hulls for Azm 5-8 are fully completed, while work on Azm 9 and Azm 10 continues.

The Chairman also reviewed the construction of 12 deep-sea fishing vessels modeled after the Rizk 1, with the first two vessels expected to be launched at the end of December. He then inspected the interior finishing of the company's new tourist yacht, the first product from its yacht factory, as well as two tourist launches and a river bus designed for maritime and river tourism.

Admiral Rabie emphasized the SCA's goal to achieve a leap in localizing the maritime industry. This aligns with the leadership's directives to meet domestic operational needs in the Canal and Egyptian ports, while also promoting international exports under the 'Made in Egypt' initiative.

Rabie noted that marine vessel construction at the Authority's shipyards will increase in the coming period, in collaboration with the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats.

Mr. Mustafa El-Degishy, the CEO of the Suez Canal Company for Modern Boats, emphasized that the construction of tugboats, deep-sea fishing vessels, and cruise boats is progressing at a pace that exceeds the planned schedule, allowing for the awarding of new projects.

The CEO added that preparations are underway for six additional tugboats, with a bollard pull of 85-90 tons, which are expected to be commissioned in the second half of next year.