SIBU: Nine tugboats and harbour tugs built here are set for deployment at the Port of Guinea in West Africa, after Winning International Group completed and delivered the vessels under a SGD23 million project.
In a statement, the group said the vessels will support offshore logistics and transshipment operations as part of its overseas port operations.
It noted that the group has worked with shipyards in Sibu since 2014, first purchasing existing tugboats before signing newbuilding contracts from 2016 onward.
It shared that to date, it has constructed and received over 40 tugboats of various types in Sibu.
Senior vice president Sun Zhijun said the tugboat designs and configurations provided by Sibu shipyards suit the group’s operational needs in West Africa.
“The vessels built in Sibu are reliable in structure, easy to operate and convenient to maintain,” he said.
He said the shipyards are flexible in adjusting designs and specifications to customer requirements, with construction timelines well managed and overall cost performance competitive.
“Standardising the construction of similar vessel types in Sibu not only enhances maintenance and management efficiency for our Group, but also reflects Sibu’s professionalism and stability in the international shipbuilding market,” he said.
In light of this, Winning Group said the nine vessels underwent multiple rounds of design optimisation to improve speed, bollard pull and manoeuvrability.
It said the vessels comply with the latest specifications of International Association of Classification Societies members,
including Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and China Classification Society, with construction carried out under full supervision by the classification societies and major onboard equipment receiving classification approval.
It added that the main engines meet Tier II environmental emission standards and comply with International Maritime Organisation requirements.
Sarawak’s shipbuilding industry will be featured at Asia Pacific Maritime in Singapore from March 25 to 27, 2026, supported by the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment and the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore.
