Israel has signed a strategic agreement with the Bulgarian shipyard MTG Dolphin in Varna for the construction of two high-tech port tugboats. The order, placed by Israel Ports Company through “Marine Transport – Haifa,” is valued at approximately 100 million shekels and comes after the cancellation of a previous agreement with a Turkish shipyard as part of Turkey’s boycott against Israel.
What the contract includes
- Two new tugboats, intended to replace two of the oldest units in the Haifa Port fleet.
- Latest-generation Rotor Tug technology for maximum maneuverability and safety.
- 85 t bollard pull – the highest capacity used in Israel so far.
Timeline and stages
The design phase is expected to be completed by October 2025, after which production at the Varna shipyard will begin. The two tugboats are scheduled to be delivered and put into service by the end of 2026.
Context and significance
The deal is both an operational and a political move. On the one hand, it strengthens Israel’s port service infrastructure amid the sustained increase of mega-ships calling at Israeli ports. On the other, it shows a shift toward a European partner and reduces dependence on Turkish supply chains.
Statements from officials
Minister of Transport and Road Safety Miri Regev: “Israel’s ports are the gateway to our economy. The decision to replace the Turkish shipyard with a friendly one in Bulgaria is a clear policy: we will not yield to boycotts, but will guarantee strength, continuity, and independence of our ports.”
Director General of the Ministry Moshe Ben Zaken emphasized that the new vessels are part of preparations for increasing traffic and for introducing cutting-edge technologies in the maritime sector.
Chairman of Israel Ports Company Hazi Haluya and CEO Pinhas Tsuria described the choice of the Bulgarian shipyard as key to ensuring the operational independence of Israel’s ports in the face of geopolitical challenges.
The Bulgarian footprint
MTG Dolphin, based in Varna, has many years of experience in shipbuilding and repair, as well as successful cooperation with Israeli partners. The project further strengthens Bulgaria’s role as a reliable European partner in the strategic maritime sector.
What’s next for the fleet
The new tugboats will join “Almog” – a VECTRA model tugboat with a 73 t bollard pull, which arrived in Israel in April 2025 and is already part of the fleet serving the ports of Ashdod and the southern region.
Summary
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The order placed with MTG Dolphin is a pragmatic response to political risk and Israel’s logistical needs. It strengthens the economic ties between Bulgaria and Israel and adds capacity to handle the largest commercial vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Коментари (46)
superq4kivlekachi_qko
27.08.2025, 19:49Superq4kivlekachi,qko!
viki_qna2016
27.08.2025, 19:53факт, браво на българските морски компании!
[email protected]
27.08.2025, 19:51факт, българско качество!
NIKI_BG
27.08.2025, 19:53Лека полека българите cucнаха поръчката 💪🚢 Море, к'во качество бе, ще видим сега!
peshaka1994
27.08.2025, 19:54!! 😡
пак_деня_🚢👌
27.08.2025, 19:54бате, български боцмани пак спасяват деня! 🚢👌
pich_007
27.08.2025, 19:55факт!
v. димитров
27.08.2025, 19:58българските моряци! Поредният международен успех на наш бизнес.
факт
27.08.2025, 20:01факт!
Doktora1988
27.08.2025, 20:01факт!
за_стъпка
27.08.2025, 20:02добра стъпка за българското корабостроинне и международен престиж на експорта!
PETKAN
27.08.2025, 20:17Чудесно! На6ите си знаят от морето 🚢
admina
27.08.2025, 20:21ей, браво на mtg! 💪 поне някой печели от тоя бизнес 👍
kirov89
27.08.2025, 20:20българския морски бизнес! Поредното силно международно представяне 👏
p. костов
27.08.2025, 20:39epicwinзабългарскотокорабостроенне!💪
ГРАЖДАНИН_Х
27.08.2025, 20:42български делфини! 🐬🚢!!
petrov
27.08.2025, 21:27откога чакаме такива новини от българското корабостроене!
Doktora1988
27.08.2025, 21:29Браво на българските морски инженери! Поредният голям международен успех.
h. Петров
27.08.2025, 21:32сериозен договор - 50 млн лева за два влекача е страхотно постижение!
K. Тодоров
27.08.2025, 21:32аооо, български дългуни - гордост! 🐬🚢
Barona
27.08.2025, 21:47pak ni izpolzvat, nishto che sme si balgariya 🙄
4ERVENO_FLAG
27.08.2025, 21:48факт!
vasil_p
27.08.2025, 21:50!!
MAGA
27.08.2025, 21:47Е, това си казва експортен потенциал! 💪🇪🇺
n. димитров
27.08.2025, 21:48Браво на българскиа бизнес! 🇧🇬👏 Поредният успех зад граница!
babaganka
27.08.2025, 21:52Якаработа,щевидимеколкодобрещесесправатвлекачите!!
asdasd2010
27.08.2025, 21:49Путин щи е бесен, че ни харесват 😎
A41
27.08.2025, 21:51На добър час! Български кораби по световните морета 🚢
💪🇧🇬_българскиа_браво
27.08.2025, 21:51браво на българскиа бизнес! 💪🇧🇬 европа ни вижда!
NIKI_BG
27.08.2025, 21:51Евреите ще платят на когото им сложат ръката 😒!
IVANKA
27.08.2025, 21:57факт, българска тихнология печели международен договор!
viki_qna
27.08.2025, 22:00българския морски бизнес - поредното доказателство за качество!
сделка_българия
27.08.2025, 23:27факт! добра сделка за България
krisko_bg1977
27.08.2025, 23:29нямам думи - супер постижение! 👎
guest123
27.08.2025, 23:31българска техника пак спасява деня! 💪🚢 Нали каза варненска?
BG_GOST
27.08.2025, 23:31Браво, български морски бизнес!
komentar_bg2018
27.08.2025, 23:39българскиябизнис!Паксмеконкурентнивмеждународенмащаб👍
p. стоянов
27.08.2025, 23:40айди бе, поредният милионен договор за наште! 💪🚢 браво, варна! 😅
яко🚢варнавдигаmaritimeбизнеса
27.08.2025, 23:49яко🚢варнавдигаmaritimeбизнеса!пратиимпоздравнаделфините💪
ГРАЖДАНИН_Х
27.08.2025, 23:49Сериозен успех за българското корабостроене и технологичен експорт!
asd123
27.08.2025, 23:50Поредното доказателство, че сме велика морска държава!
anoniemen1991
27.08.2025, 23:52bravo na balgarskiya biznes - probivame na mezhdunarodniya pazar!
по
28.08.2025, 00:09българския бизнес! Европейски стандарт по море.
x. георгиев
28.08.2025, 00:22българската компания! Голям успих!
fan_45
28.08.2025, 00:57факт!
факт
28.08.2025, 01:00факт!