Boluda orders tractor tugs with hybrid propulsion

Boluda Towage has ordered four tractor tugs with hybrid propulsion from Damen Shipyards to reduce its emissions while increasing ship handling capabilities.

On the back of this contract, Damen ordered eight Voith Schneider propellers (VSPs) for four new Voith Water Tractors (VWTs) and eight diesel main engines from Caterpillar.

These VWTs are scheduled to be delivered by Damen to Boluda, with 80 tonnes of bollard pull, starting in 2025. These 32-m vessels will be constructed to Robert Allan Ltd’s TRAktor 3200-V design for escorting ships and supporting their docking in terminals.
Each will have two Cat 3516E engines, delivering 3,000 kW of power, two VSP 32X6/265 propellers and 300-kW electric motors/generators via Reintjes reduction gearboxes.
“The efficient VSPs and the hybrid propulsion concept enable economical and low-emissions operation of the tugs with a bollard pull of over 80 tonnes,” said Voith sales manager for marine applications, Frank Mücksch.