MAN power popular at Spanish yard

The engines are destined for nine newbuilding tugs. Ten engines were already delivered in 2009 with the remainder due this year and next.

The three orders encompass two engines for the VB Bravo, owned by Boluda Corporación Marítima through its subsidiary AUXMASA. There are twelve engines for six tug boats owned outright by Boluda Corporación Marítima and four engines for two tug boats owned by the Shetland Island Council. As originally stipulated, all nine tugs will be constructed at Boluda Shipyards – Unión Naval Valencia in the Port of Valencia, one of the biggest private shipyards in Spain and part of Boluda Corporación Marítima.

Boluda Corporación Marítima’s core activity, as it always has been over its history, is tug operation. Its Towage and Salvage Division maintains a strong position both domestically and internationally with a fleet of over 200 tugs.

Typical tug operations include ship towage, marine safety, assistance in high seas and fire fighting. Such demanding tasks require a highly reliable and efficient main engine, a profile that MAN Diesel’s L27/38 engine meets in full.

Of the seven tugs bound for the Boluda Towage and Salvage fleet, the first, the VB Bravo, has already entered service. Two others, the VB Titán and the VB Trón, were launched at Boluda-UNV shipyard in October 2009 and will shortly enter service. Delivery of the remaining six vessels is scheduled for 2010 and 2011.