UZMAR Shipyard has successfully delivered TIGER, a state-of-the-art RAstar 3200W Class 80 TBP Escort Tug, to Italian operator OCEAN S.R.L. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., TIGER represents the latest in tugboat innovation, offering outstanding maneuverability, escort performance, and resilience for demanding operations.
A formal delivery and naming ceremony was held in February at UZMAR’s facilities. Distinguished attendees included UZMAR President and CEO Ahmet Noyan Altuğ, OCEAN TEAM Managing Director Michela Cattaruzza, and Robert Allan Ltd. CEO Mike Fitzpatrick. The tug was christened by Father Anton Bulai, and Cattaruzza performed the ceremonial bottle-breaking to officially name the vessel.
In his remarks, Altuğ praised the collaborative effort behind TIGER, noting, “Every contract we sign is built on trust—with our team, our suppliers, and our subcontractors. Today, we are celebrating not just a ship, but a shared achievement. No matter how complex a project, we at UZMAR always deliver with pride.” He added that despite coming from different cultures, “the sea brings us together as one.”
Robert Allan Ltd.’s Mike Fitzpatrick highlighted the teamwork and dedication required to create such an exceptional vessel: “To build a good tug, you need solid design, quality equipment, and a capable shipyard. But to build an exceptional tug, you also need an owner who is fully engaged. Today, we see the results of that full collaboration.”
Michela Cattaruzza addressed the guests, marking a personal milestone. “In 28 years in the industry, this is the first time I have spoken at a christening ceremony. Standing in front of our beautiful TIGER, I’m filled with pride and gratitude. This project has been about more than shipbuilding—it’s about building friendships and family.”
Launched just eight months after the contract signing, TIGER demonstrates UZMAR’s commitment to timely, high-quality delivery. The tug is engineered for advanced ship rescue, firefighting, port operations, towing, pushing, and escort services.
Key specifications include:
- 80-tonne bollard pull
- 32m overall length, 13.2m beam, 5.5m depth
- Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) propulsion system
- Two Caterpillar 3516E engines, each 2,350 bkW, IMO III certified
- Kongsberg US255 Z-drives with 2.8m FP propellers
- Escort Tug, Recovered Oil Second Line, and Firefighting 1 notations
TIGER is also outfitted with an IBERCISA Split Drum Escort Forward winch, an aft towing winch, and a DATA Towpin system to support complex towing and escort operations.
With cutting-edge design and robust engineering, TIGER is poised to provide OCEAN S.R.L. with years of safe, efficient service—cementing the strong bond between UZMAR and the OCEAN team.
