Kongsberg Maritime to supply thrusters and winches for Med Marine’s new tug fleet, including all-electric ‘VoltRA’

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract with Turkish shipbuilder and tug operator Med Marine to deliver azimuth thrusters and a mix of electric and hydraulic towing winches for nine new tug designs. The agreement includes equipment for Med Marine’s new all-electric ‘VoltRA’ tug, which will be constructed at the company’s Ereğli Shipyard.

Scope of supply

Under the contract, Kongsberg Maritime will provide eight shipsets of its US255 azimuth thrusters for Med Marine’s RAmparts 2500-W and RAstar 3200-W tug designs. For the ‘VoltRA’ electric tug, the company will supply its US205 azimuth thruster.

The order also includes five shipsets of newly developed electric towing winches and four shipsets of hydraulic winches. The electric winches, introduced earlier this year for next-generation tug operations, use frequency converter-driven motors aimed at improving efficiency and lowering environmental impact compared with traditional hydraulic systems.

Kongsberg Maritime’s US-series thrusters are designed for vessels that require high reliability and operational efficiency. The latest models are compatible with hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems.

Industry perspectives

“This agreement with Med Marine marks a significant milestone for both our companies and for the maritime industry as a whole,” said Nils-Reidar Valle, Senior Vice President, Naval & Workboat Sales at Kongsberg Maritime. “By integrating our proven US-series thrusters and electric winches into Med Marine’s tug fleet, we’re demonstrating how advanced propulsion technology and energy-efficient engineering can work hand in hand to deliver powerful, sustainable performance. It’s an honour to support a project that sets a new benchmark for clean maritime innovation.”

Med Marine said the new ‘VoltRA’ class highlights its focus on developing more efficient and lower-emission tug designs.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward for Med Marine as a global shipbuilder focused on innovation and sustainability,” said Yıldız Bozkurt Ozcan, General Manager of Med Marine. “Partnering with Kongsberg Maritime enables us to integrate world-class propulsion and deck machinery solutions with our proven shipbuilding expertise. The ‘VoltRA’ series represents our shared vision to lead the tug industry toward a more efficient, electric, and environmentally responsible future.”

Next-generation tug development

The ‘VoltRA’ electric tug series is positioned to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions, while combining electric propulsion with operational capabilities required for harbour and terminal duties. Med Marine expects the design to contribute to a broader shift toward cleaner tug operations within the global fleet.