On September 10th, 2020, the M JEEX (ex. Dogancay XXV) arrived at Berbera Port under the management and crew of P&OML. The delivery follows a previous purchase in the summer of 2018 from Sanmar, the EGAL (ex. Dogancay XXVI), shipped in.

Driven by a pair of Caterpillar 3212B diesel engines (two 1,230kW at 1,800rpm) running through twin Reintjes WAF665 gearboxes to two Wärtsilä Kaplan type four-blade fixed pitched propellers in short nozzles, the M JEEX achieves 45 ton bollard pull and a speed of 12 knots. Steering is supported by two sets of twin rudders with high aspect ratio, one set of two rudders located abaft each nozzle.

Dogancay class tugboats are designed for ship docking service as well as deep sea emergency towage in coastal waters, with flexibility intended for various tasks.

The M JEEX's accommodation, like its sister, consists of two single cabins on the main deck along with a spacious mess / lounge and galley room, with two additional dual-berth cabins under deck.

“The addition of the second tugboat to the Port of Berbera is another milestone in the progress being made in the expansion and development of the port. It will further strengthen the capacity of the port’s marine services to moor larger vessels and increase accessibility to the port. The phase 1 expansion project will increase the port’s capacity by 500,000 TEUs with an additional 400m quay. The project is on schedule for commissioning by end of quarter 1, 2021 and will further strengthen Berbera Port as a major regional trade port servicing the Horn of Africa," Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO of DP World Berbera stated.

“The Dogancay class remains a fantastic tugboat and an exemplary workhorse for the right operational theater. Sanmar has constructed 26 of this design over a number of years, at a time when ASD designs were less in demand. It was the mainstay of our production with numerous versions serving across the world in places such as France, Hong Kong, Martinique, Mexico, Pakistan, UAE and the UK as well as around the Turkish coast," Sanmar Sales Director, Gary Dockerty stated.

Maritime Business World