Berg Propulsion gets Turkish tug order

Two years after re-emerging as an independent supplier of marine propulsion and vessel control systems, Berg Propulsion has secured its first new tug order in Turkey since the opening of Berg Propulsion Eurasia in April 2022. The company announced it has been contracted to provide a range of propulsion and control equipment for a harbor tug to be built at İÇDAŞ Shipyard.

Fitted with propulsion technology from Berg Propulsion, the new İÇDAŞ tug will support operations in the drydock and surrounding port area of Çanakkale, northwest Turkey. (Photo: Berg Propulsion)

Built to a Robert Allan design, the newbuild RAscal 2000 tug will join the İÇDAŞ fleet to support drydock operations and activities in its surrounding port area of Çanakkale, northwest Turkey.

Power capability was a key factor in selecting the twin Berg MTA 318 fixed pitch azimuth thrusters, shaft system and control system to work in combination with the tug’s two Caterpillar C32 diesels, each of which are rated 1081 kW at 2000 rpm.

“We needed to achieve a 35-tonne bollard pull, which is high for a harbor tug of this size, and we could do this competitively because our set up can handle 8% higher input power than comparable systems,” said Mustafa Müslüm, general manager, Berg Propulsion Eurasia.

For Berg Eurasia, the deal represents not only a first tug propulsion order from İÇDAŞ, but a breakthrough into the country’s significant tug market. Berg Propulsion supplied four MPP controllable pitch propellers to the same shipbuilder between 2012 and 2015, for cargo ships.

“We are delighted to be working with Berg Propulsion again, and we look forward to the delivery of the equipment package for this powerful tug in September 2023, and to working with Berg on other projects in the future,” said Kayhan Bilekdemir, shipbuilding sales representative, İÇDAŞ Shipyard. “Berg equipment is robust and reliable, while the company is highly collaborative on supply and installation. Berg Propulsion Eurasia has also quickly established the after sales infrastructure to support a powerful presence in Turkey.”