The first ceremony on March 7 saw the naming of the 2 LNG-fuelled escort tugs at Sanmar’s Altinova Shipyard. Based on the RAstar 4000 DF design from Vancouver-based naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, the two Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs named HAISEA KERMODE and HAISEA WARRIOR will be Canada’s first LNG tugs.

Ranking among the world’s highest performing escort tugs, at 40m in length and with more than 100 tonnes of bollard pull, these impressive tugs will generate indirect escort forces of approximately 200 tonnes. HAISEA KERMODE and HAISEA WARRIOR were named by Lisa Grant, Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Haisla Nation and Haisla Nation Councillor Kevin Stewart. 

The second ceremony on March 8 was held at Sanmar’s Tuzla Shipyard and saw the naming of HAISEA WAMIS, HAISEA WEE'GIT and HAISEA BRAVE, 3 ground-breaking all-electric ElectRA tugboats which will carry out harbour duties at Kitimat. All 3 were named by Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation

At 28.4m in length, with 65+ tonnes bollard pull and 6,102 kWh of battery capacity each, the ElectRA 2800 electric harbour tugs will perform all their ship-berthing and unberthing missions on battery power alone. With ample clean hydroelectric power available in Kitimat, the harbour tugs will be able to recharge from dedicated shore charging facilities at their berths between jobs, effectively resulting in zero emissions.

Ali Gurun, Chairman of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “We are proud to be delivering these vessels on time despite having had serious challenges during and after Covid, with limitations on travel, closed days, limitations on going to work, then a shortage of components. Now we have had the earthquake with quite a number of our workers travelling to the quake zone to help and assist family and friends.”

Cem Seven, Vice Chairman of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “I would like offer our most sincere  thanks to LNG Canada, HaiSea, Seaspan and Haisla Nation for their confidence in Sanmar and we wish these 5 beautiful tugs will bring all of you prosperous, safe and clean operations.”
Jason Klein, CEO of LNG Canada, said: “The collaboration between Seaspan and the Haisla Nation is an exciting and purposeful partnership that will provide dependable and responsible marine services to LNG carriers calling in Kitimat. Their culture of safety, respect and environmental stewardship is an extension of LNG Canada’s commitment to designing, building and operating our project in consideration of community interests while providing benefits to north coast communities.”

VIP guests at the ceremonies included top level executives from the LNG Canada, HaiSea Marine, Seaspan Marine, Haisla Nation and Robert Allan Ltd, including along with Chief Crystal Smith, Derek Ollman and Jason Klein, Gord Miller, COO of Seaspan Marine; Jordan Pechie, Director at HaiSea Marine; and Mike Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Robert Allan Ltd, plus Anna Maria Darmanin, Secretary General of the European Tugowners’ Association, Sanmar employees and representatives of the international maritime media.