Sanmar Shipyards has announced that SD Aisemaht, described as the world's first dual-fuel methanol escort and rescue tug, has received full class certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Built for Canadian tug operator Kotug Canada, the 44-metre vessel is based on the RAsalvor 4400-DFM design developed by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd and is one of two new-generation tugs intended to support Canada's Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP). SD Aisemaht is set to escort tankers from the Port of Vancouver to the open Pacific Ocean.

The vessel is fully compliant with IMO Tier III emission standards and holds ENVIRO, SUSTAIN-2 (2020) and OSR-C2 class notations, covering environmentally responsible design, sustainability-focused operational standards and oil spill response capability. Its full class notations include ABS A1, Towing Vessel, Escort Vessel, FFV 1, AMS, ABCU and BP (115.12 MT), with additional notations including HAB (WB), IHM, QR, UWILD and LFFS (DFD – Methanol).

Rüçhan Çıvgın, commercial director of Sanmar Shipyards, remarked: "The full class certification of SD Aisemaht marks an important milestone for both Sanmar Shipyards and the maritime industry. This certification confirms not only the vessel's technical excellence and operational capability, but also the practicality of alternative fuel solutions in demanding tug operations. SD Aisemaht demonstrates that sustainability and high performance can successfully go hand in hand."