STRATOS Z, today presented by NEMECA simply as STRATOS, is a Greek twin-screw harbour and coastal towing tug with a long association with Greek port towage. The tug was built at Gemsan Shipyard in Turkey to the Robert Allan TS 25/40 design and is powered by two Caterpillar 3512B main engines producing a combined 3,000 bhp. Her compact dimensions and bollard pull of around 45 tonnes make her suitable for ship-assistance, harbour towage and coastal towing operations.
Before entering Greek service, the vessel operated as DOGANCAY XVII and later PB PROGRESS. Pacific Basin’s original technical specification for PB PROGRESS identifies IMO 9429508 as a 3,000-bhp Robert Allan-designed tug built at Gemsan Shipyard, with a bollard pull of 46.5 tonnes, accommodation for seven persons and FiFi 1/2 firefighting capability. She later joined the Zouros Group fleet as STRATOS Z.
A major change in ownership took place in 2023, when NEMECA acquired STRATOS Z together with the tug DIONYSIOS Z and additional assets from the Zouros Group. NEMECA stated that the acquisition formed part of the expansion of its harbour-towage fleet serving Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kavala, as well as offshore salvage and pollution-response work.
Vessel Details
Current Name: STRATOS
Name at time of PiraeuShips recording: STRATOS Z
Former Names: PB PROGRESS, DOGANCAY XVII / DOGANCAY 17
IMO: 9429508
MMSI: 240013900
Call Sign: SVA7681
Type: Twin-Screw Harbour / Coastal Towing Tug
Flag: Greece
Port of Registry: Thessaloniki
Built: 2007/2008*
Builder: Gemsan Shipyard, Turkey
Design: Robert Allan TS 25/40
Current Fleet / Operator: NEMECA
Former Operator: Zouros Group
Current Classification: RINA
Length Overall: 25.25 m
Beam: 8.60 m
Maximum Draught: approx. 3.5–3.6 m
Gross Tonnage: currently listed by NEMECA at 185.14 GT
Deadweight: approx. 130 t
Main Engines: 2 × Caterpillar 3512B
Total Power: 3,000 bhp
Propulsion: Twin screw
Bollard Pull: approx. 45 t
Fuel Capacity: 70 m³
Accommodation: 7 persons
Firefighting: FiFi 1/2
History
The vessel began her career in Turkey under the name DOGANCAY XVII. She subsequently became PB PROGRESS, operating for Pacific Basin Towage under the Cook Islands flag. The original PB PROGRESS specification gave a maximum speed of approximately 13 knots, 46.5 tonnes bollard pull and 224 GT.
After entering Greek ownership she was renamed STRATOS Z and became part of the Zouros Group tug fleet. The PiraeuShips archive already documented her under this identity in 2017, listing PB PROGRESS and DOGANCAY XVII among her previous names.
In 2023, the tug passed to NEMECA Maritime Company. NEMECA currently presents IMO 9429508 under the shorter name STRATOS, while retaining the same Greek MMSI and call sign.
Piraeus Connection
STRATOS Z has been repeatedly documented in the wider Piraeus port complex. Photographic records place her at Perama in January 2018 and at Drapetsona Bay in February 2018. NEMECA now deploys its tug fleet in the main Greek harbour-towage markets, including Piraeus.
PiraeuShips Record
STRATOS Z was recorded in the Piraeus area by PiraeuShips during her period with the Zouros Group. The recording now has additional historical interest, as the tug was acquired by NEMECA in 2023 and is currently presented under the shortened name STRATOS. Her continued operation demonstrates the long working life of a compact, high-bollard-pull harbour tug that has served under several owners and identities.
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