Gary Dockerty, Sales Director - Middle East and Africa, at Sanmar Shipyards, speaks to Robban Assafina of the latest innovative technological solutions shaping the future for generations to come.
What are the latest developments at Sanmar, including its services and vision?
In recent years, we at Sanmar Shipyards have focused on environmentally friendly and innovative technologies to maintain our leadership in the maritime industry. In 2024, we successfully delivered 28 tugboats, including 7 Full Battery Electric Tugs; with a further 7 additional units in the orderbook. Additionally, we proudly completed and delivered the world’s first TRAnsverse Tug design to our client Svitzer AS. We are also progressing with the construction of the world’s first Methanol-Fuelled Escort Tugboats. Our vision is to be a trusted leader in the global maritime industry, providing innovative and technological solutions that shape the future and maintain leadership for generations to come.
As Sanmar expands its tug construction operations in the Middle East, what is your perspective on this market?
As we expand our tug construction operations in the Middle East, we view this market as a significant opportunity. The region is renowned for its large and growing maritime trade and oil/gas transportation, and we observe a growing demand as well as rapidly developing maritime infrastructure projects – including new port and terminal developments.
In this context, at Sanmar, we offer tugs that are specifically designed and built to meet the unique demands of the region. Additionally, we are actively working to contribute to the transformation of maritime operations in the Middle East towards environmental sustainability.
Sanmar Shipyards, strategically integrates advanced technologies into our processes to enhance our competitive strength in the industry. We aim to maximize operational efficiency with innovative solutions such as autonomous, remote-controlled, fully electric, LNG, and methanol-fuelled and hybrid tugs.
Additionally, we use artificial intelligence and automation technologies to optimize our production processes and maritime operations, achieving faster and more efficient results. To reduce environmental impact, we prioritize sustainable materials and integrate them into our shipbuilding processes. Through these technological innovations, we not only maintain our leadership in modern shipbuilding but also shape the future of the maritime industry.
Which major challenges currently impact the industry, and in what ways is your company addressing supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and regulatory changes?
The maritime industry has been facing significant challenges in recent years, including supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and regulatory changes. To address these challenges, Sanmar adopts a flexible and strategic approach. To minimize supply chain disruptions, we build strong partnerships with both local and global suppliers and implement alternative sourcing channels. Additionally, we invest in technology to accelerate and optimize our production processes, enhancing our efficiency through digitalization and automation solutions. In terms of labour shortages, we focus on continuous training and development programs to enhance our workforce’s skills, while also employing innovative recruitment strategies to ensure we have the right talent on board as well as nurturing the future skill pool.
What strategies is Sanmar implementing to meet the targets set by the IMO GHG Strategy for 2030?
At Sanmar, we are implementing various strategies to meet the IMO's 2030 GHG Strategy and achieve net zero-emission targets. In this context, we continue to produce fully electric, methanol-fuelled, hybrid, and LNG tugs. Additionally, we place great importance on developing energy-efficient technologies and using environmentally friendly designs. By optimizing our production processes, we are reducing our carbon footprint and working towards creating a sustainable future in the industry.
How was 2024 for Sanmar, and what is the vision for 2025?
2024 has been a year of strong growth, innovation, and environmental sustainability for Sanmar. This year, we have solidified our leadership in the industry by focusing on the development of electric tugs and environmentally friendly projects.
Our new generation of low and zero-emission tugs continue to contribute to the maritime industry's environmental sustainability goals. Additionally, we have engaged in new projects and partnerships aimed at meeting the evolving needs of the global market. Looking ahead to 2025, our vision is to continue providing more sustainable and eco-friendly maritime solutions, expand our presence in global markets, and maintain our leadership in the industry through technology-driven innovations.
Furthermore, we aim to enhance our operational efficiency by leveraging advanced technologies like digitalization and automation. Through these strategies, our primary goal is to contribute to the transformation of the maritime sector into a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable industry.
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:To read the full content, click on the following link Robban Assafina, Issue 96, Mar./ Apr. 2025, Maritime Host, pg. 69 |
