Executive Overview
In a move that underscores the accelerating modernization and decarbonization of Northern European harbor operations, Turkish shipbuilding powerhouse Sanmar Shipyards has officially delivered the high-performance tractor tug NICO to the prominent German maritime service provider, H. Schramm Towage. Built under the yard designation DELICAY XVIII, the state-of-the-art vessel represents the seventh Sanmar-built tug to enter service for the Brunsbüttel-headquartered operator. This milestone delivery cements a bilateral commercial partnership that has spanned two decades, dating back to their initial collaboration in 2005.
The acquisition of NICO is a calculated strategic expansion for H. Schramm Towage. Designed by the renowned Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. under the proprietary TRAktor-Z 2500SX designation, the vessel is engineered specifically to meet the rigorous demands of ship-handling, escort, and coastal towing in the highly congested waters of the German Bight, the River Elbe, and the Kiel Canal. Boasting an impressive 80 tonnes of bollard pull and powered by dual Caterpillar 3516E main engines, the tug is fully compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Tier III emissions regulations.
By integrating NICO alongside its existing sister vessels, SÖNKE and BO, H. Schramm Towage now commands a formidable trio of modern azimuth tractor tugs (ATTs) from Sanmar’s highly successful DELICAY series. This fleet uniformity provides the operator with significant advantages in maintenance synergy, crew familiarity, and operational versatility across key German ports.
Detailed Chronology
The path to the delivery of NICO reflects a highly structured and efficient procurement cycle, demonstrating the agility of modern specialized shipbuilding pipelines.
[May 2025] Contract signed at TugTechnology, Antwerp
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[Mid-2025] Construction & Outfitting (Sanmar Shipyards, Türkiye)
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[Late 2025] Sea Trials & Performance Verification
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[Delivery] Transfer of Ownership & Commissioning as 'NICO'The Inception: TugTechnology 2025
The commercial origin of this latest acquisition occurred in May 2025 at the prestigious TugTechnology Conference and Exhibition in Antwerp, Belgium. Amidst a gathering of global salvage operators, tug owners, and naval architects, executives from H. Schramm Towage and Sanmar Shipyards finalized and signed the contract for the then-named DELICAY XVIII. The signing was celebrated as a testament to long-term industrial trust, coming exactly twenty years after Schramm first turned to Sanmar for its specialized towing needs.
Construction and Engineering in Türkiye
Following the contract signing, construction progressed rapidly at Sanmar’s cutting-edge Tuzla and Altinova shipyards in Türkiye. Built under strict classification society supervision, the vessel’s steel cutting, block assembly, and machinery outfitting were executed to meet both international safety standards and the specific cold-weather operational requirements of the North and Baltic Seas.
The hull design, optimized via extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) research by Robert Allan Ltd., was carefully integrated with the propulsion and emissions reduction systems.
Sea Trials, Delivery, and Renaming
In the latter half of the construction cycle, the vessel underwent rigorous dockside and sea trials in the Sea of Marmara. These trials verified the tug’s maneuverability, structural integrity under maximum load, and compliance with the strict noise and vibration standards necessary for crew comfort during extended operations.
Upon successful completion of these trials, the vessel was officially handed over to its German owners. Renamed NICO, the tug departed Turkish waters and transited to its new homeport in Germany, where it was integrated into H. Schramm Towage’s active fleet registry, ready for immediate deployment in harbor ship-handling and coastal towing maneuvers.
Supporting Context & Metrics
The NICO is a prime example of the technological evolution occurring within the harbor towage sector, where operators are demanding smaller, more powerful, and environmentally conscious platforms to handle increasingly large container vessels, bulk carriers, and tankers.
Technical Specifications and Dimensions
The TRAktor-Z 2500SX design is characterized by its compact footprint combined with an exceptionally wide beam, which provides superior stability and dynamic escort capabilities. The key physical dimensions and operational metrics of NICO include:
| Parameter | Metric Value |
|---|---|
| Length Overall (LOA) | 25.3 meters |
| Moulded Beam | 12.0 meters |
| Least Moulded Depth | 4.55 meters |
| Bollard Pull (Ahead) | 80 tonnes |
| Free-Running Speed | 12.5 knots |
| Crew Accommodation | Up to 6 persons |
| Firefighting Standard | FiFi 1 |
Propulsion Architecture and Environmental Engineering
At the heart of NICO’s performance are its twin Caterpillar 3516E marine diesel engines. Each engine is rated to produce 2,350 kW of power at 1,800 rpm. To meet the stringent environmental mandates governing European waters—specifically the North Sea and Baltic Sea Emission Control Areas (ECAs)—the propulsion system is paired with an advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.
Engine Exhaust Gas ──> [ SCR Catalyst Chamber ] ──> Reduced NOx Emissions (IMO Tier III)
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│ (Urea Injection)This setup effectively neutralizes harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, ensuring full compliance with IMO Tier III standards. The engines drive twin Z-drive thrusters, providing 360-degree vector thrust.
The Advantages of the Tractor Tug Configuration
Unlike conventional azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs, the tractor tug configuration of the TRAktor-Z 2500SX places the Z-drive units forward under the hull, while the towing winch is mounted on the aft deck. This layout offers distinct operational advantages:
- Inherent Stability: The center of effort during towing operations is positioned to virtually eliminate the risk of girding (capsizing due to lateral tension from the towline).
- Omnidirectional Maneuverability: The forward-mounted thrusters allow the vessel to generate high steering and braking forces in all directions, a critical requirement when working in narrow lock chambers, such as those of the Kiel Canal.
- Excellent Visibility: The ergonomic bridge layout provides the master with unobstructed 360-degree sightlines, optimizing safety during close-quarters ship-handling.
Safety, Firefighting, and Crew Welfare
Beyond its primary towing functions, NICO is outfitted as a first-line emergency response vessel. Equipped with a fully certified FiFi 1 firefighting system, the tug can deploy massive water and foam streams to combat shipboard or shoreside blazes.
To support multi-day coastal towing operations, the internal accommodations have been designed to high MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) standards. The quarters provide comfortable, climate-controlled, and acoustically insulated cabins for up to six crew members, complete with modern galley, mess, and sanitary facilities.
Official Statements
The delivery of NICO has been met with enthusiastic acclaim from the leadership of both organizations, highlighting the deep-seated mutual trust and shared vision for a sustainable maritime future.
From the Shipbuilder: Sanmar Shipyards
Spokespersons for Sanmar Shipyards emphasized the symbolic and commercial weight of this delivery:
"The delivery of NICO to H. Schramm Towage is a proud moment for Sanmar. It represents not just the completion of a highly sophisticated vessel, but the continuation of a 20-year relationship built on mutual respect, engineering excellence, and a shared commitment to maritime safety. The DELICAY series has proven itself to be one of the most versatile and reliable tractor tug designs on the market, and we are thrilled to see a third sister ship join Schramm’s esteemed fleet in Germany."
From the Operator: H. Schramm Towage
Leadership at H. Schramm Towage expressed confidence in the operational advantages the new vessel brings to their regional portfolio:
"Operating in the busy and ecologically sensitive waters of northern Germany requires vessels that do not compromise on power, maneuverability, or environmental responsibility. With NICO joining SÖNKE and BO, we have established a highly standardized, incredibly capable trio of state-of-the-art tractor tugs. This investment ensures we can continue to offer our clients the highest level of reliability and safety, while actively reducing our environmental footprint in line with the latest global standards."
Future Outlook
The addition of NICO to H. Schramm Towage’s fleet arrives at a critical juncture for the European maritime sector. As ports like Hamburg, Bremen
, and Wilhelmshaven expand their infrastructures to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) and new liquefied natural gas (LNG) and green hydrogen terminals, the demand for high-bollard-pull escort and harbor tugs is projected to rise significantly.
Strategic Market Positioning
By operating three identical, highly capable Robert Allan-designed tractor tugs (NICO, SÖNKE, and BO), H. Schramm Towage gains a distinct competitive edge:
- Operational Redundancy: Crew members can seamlessly transition between any of the three vessels without requiring extensive retraining or familiarization periods, drastically reducing operational downtime.
- Maintenance Efficiency: Standardization of the propulsion machinery (Caterpillar 3516E) and auxiliary systems allows for streamlined spare parts inventory management and simplified maintenance protocols.
- Market Versatility: With 80 tonnes of bollard pull and FiFi 1 capabilities, the trio can handle everything from routine harbor berthing to complex offshore salvage and emergency response missions.
Embracing the Green Transition
As European ports increasingly implement tiered port-fee structures that reward environmentally friendly vessels, the IMO Tier III compliance of NICO will yield direct economic benefits for H. Schramm Towage. Furthermore, the successful delivery of this vessel reinforces Sanmar Shipyards’ reputation as a premier global builder of low-emission, high-efficiency harbor craft, positioning both companies at the vanguard of the global maritime energy transition.
