Boluda strengthens Gibraltar tug fleet in response to Red Sea crisis

In February 2024 Boluda added four more tugs to its fleet with the purchase of Resolve Salvage and Fire (Gibraltar). The Spanish towing company’s decision to bolster its fleet with vessel number five recognises that ports in the Strait of Gibraltar are the first in Europe for ships taking the longer route between Asia and Europe, with potential additional requirements for towage services.

The ceremony saw previously named Med Setubal renamed VB Responder in an event at the Small Boats Marina hosted by Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, guests including president of Boluda Corporación Marítima Vicente Boluda Fos and executive vice president Vicente Boluda Ceballos.

Chief minister Fabian Picardo KC MP said: “I welcome the addition of VB Responder to Boluda Towage’s fleet as it signifies their confidence in Gibraltar not just as a strategic point in geographic terms, but as a trustworthy place for business. This is also an important acquisition that strengthens the Port of Gibraltar’s maritime capabilities which will enhance their service”.

Pedigree

VB Responder was built in 1991 by Matsuura Tekko Zosen and has an interesting pedigree. Originally owned by Svitzer Sverige, it operated as Lars under the Swedish flag and then as Svitzer Setubal, managed by Portugs II Reboques and flying the Portuguese flag.

A later name change saw it operating as Portugs Setubal before entering service with MedTug Sines SA as Med Setubal, and its latest move to Resolve Marine Group and Boluda Towage Gibraltar now renamed VB Responder under the Gibraltar flag.

Japanese-built tugs are not particularly common in Europe and examples of note include Bjorn and John, also built in 1991 by Matsuura and close sisters to the VB Responder. In the UK Kincraig was a 1997 Matsuura-built tug for Knight Caledonian Ltd, later moving to the ownership of SMS Towage – Hull as Welshman and now owned by Raduga Shipping Middle East.

A particular vessel of note from the Matsuura stable was the 1999-built Anglian Monarch for JP Knight of Lowestoft, which operated as an Emergency Towing Vessel for the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.