Boluda refits tug to Tier III standards

One has to consider the location of port facilities to understand the importance all involved place on reducing harmful emissions from shiphandling tugs that are part of the port’s operational fabric.

As an example, at one extreme Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte 2 development is in a relatively remote location while the port’s up-river berths and harbours are increasingly sharing their space with housing developments for the expanding local population.

The workforce at more remote facilities still require protection from harmful emissions of course and local port authority demands for a cleaner operation are seeing tug operators doing their bit to improve the quality of the environment for everyone.

Two options are the use of hybrid technology employing a mix of conventional and electrical energy power and, more of an option for conventional shipping, the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). In conjunction with supplier Anglo Belgian Corporation, Boluda has passed a milestone in becoming the first towage company in Europe to convert an existing tug, adopting SCR to meet IMO Tier III standards. The vessel chosen was the RAL RAmparts 3200 ASD tug Union Koala, part of Boluda’s Zeebrugge-based fleet.

SCR is not commonly associated with smaller vessels and while modern tug engine rooms are on first impression quite spacious the project presented a challenge requiring the installation of the complete SCR system on board a vessel with a complex engine room while retaining its operational and practical functions.

Boluda Towage Europe’s CEO Geert Vandecappelle commented: “As a long-term partner of the Port of Zeebrugge, Boluda Towage Europe has committed itself through this project to the port authority’s environmental objectives. I am proud that through a joint effort, our technical department, Anglo Belgian Corporation and Flanders Ship Repair have brought this challenging project to a successful conclusion.”

Boluda’s initiative is however not restricted to the retrofit of Union Koala with SCR technology. Following its takeover of Kotug Smit’s north European activities last year, its operational fleet now includes five hybrid tugs, the three Rotortugs RT Adriaan, RT Evolution and RT Emotion along with the Damen ASD 2810 hybrids Adventure and Experience.

By Peter Barker