Boluda expands into Rostock

Boluda states it was asked by customers to consider extending towing services to Rostock, a port the Spanish-based towing operator describes as ‘the most important German port in the Baltic Sea.’ It adds the decision to start operations at Rostock is ‘another stepping-stone’ towards strengthening activities in the region, Boluda Towage’s executive vice president Vicente Boluda Ceballos commenting: “The Boluda flag will be a permanent presence in the Baltic Sea, which supports the expansion strategy of Boluda Towage’s towing service in northern Europe in line with various strategic acquisitions recently closed by the company.”

Boluda is no stranger to the port of Rostock due to the numerous special towing tasks it has taken part in involving ships, barges and windfarm components and initially the company is operating two tugs in the port with the option to scale up tug capacity depending on needs and requests from customers in the port with local crew members employed on the tugs. Bugsier and Fairplay shiphandling tugs are also based in Rostock.

In separate news, the next stage in Boluda’s extended towage service concession in the Port of Zeebrugge has been celebrated in a naming ceremony for no fewer than four newly-built Damen tugs. The quartet are formidable additions to the port’s towing service provision comprising two different classes of vessel, the Damen ASD Tugs 2813 VB Bolero and VB Rumba and ART80-32 Rotortugs VB Flandes and VB Samba.

The ASD Tugs 2813s were built at Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam and provide 85tbp while the 80tbp Rotortugs were products of Damen Albwardy Sharjah Shipyard. All are certified to the highest firefighting standards and with sustainability an essential component of the concession agreement with Port of Zeebrugge, IMO Tier III standards will provide an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, enhanced by the provision of shore power when the tugs are moored alongside.

Bruges Mayor, Mr Dirk De fauw said: “As the president of the port administration, I am delighted to embark upon this collaboration with Boluda Towage again. It is the continuation of a loyal, professional and sustainable relationship that will allow both MBZ and Boluda Towage to further enhance the shipping industry in Zeebrugge