Boluda Towage, the tugboat service subsidiary of Boluda Maritime Corporation, has incorporated two new tugs into its European fleet. The VB Foxtrot and the VB Fantastic docked this week at the port of Rotterdam after completing a long journey from Vietnam, where they were built by the Damen Shipyards. Both vessels, of the RSD 2513 model, will begin operating at full capacity in the coming days in European ports.
The two tugs are characterized by a fixed-point towing capacity of 80 tons, a power that places them among the most capable units in the segment and that is necessary for assisting large vessels that call at the major ports of the continent. In addition, both vessels are certified for FiFi-1 (Fire Fighting Class 1) firefighting, a system that allows the tugs to intervene in extinguishing fires on board ships or at port facilities using long-range water cannons. Both tugs also meet the requirements of the IMO Tier III regulation of the International Maritime Organization regarding nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the most stringent environmental standard currently in effect for marine engines, which places them among the most advanced and sustainable models in the sector.
The RSD 2513 model from Damen Shipyards is a compact and versatile tugboat design that has received wide acceptance in the international port towing market. Its technical characteristics make it particularly suitable for operations in ports with high traffic of large container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers, where maneuverability and towing power are crucial to ensure the safety of berthing and unberthing operations.
Boluda Towage has stated that the arrival of the VB Foxtrot and VB Fantastic represents a new step in the company's commitment to operational excellence and modernization of its European fleet. The Valencian company believes that these additions help improve safety, efficiency, and availability of the towing service in some of the most demanding ports in Europe, where the company maintains a solid operational presence.
Boluda Towage is one of the leading port towing operators in the world and the leader in the sector in Europe. The company, based in Valencia, provides towing services in a wide number of ports on the continent, as well as in Africa, Latin America, the Indian Ocean, and Asia-Pacific. Its fleet has undergone a continuous process of renewal and growth in recent years, in line with the international expansion strategy that the company has deployed through the acquisition of local operators and the incorporation of new units built in renowned shipyards such as Damen Shipyards.