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Boluda strengthens UK towage fleet
A major owner of European tugboats has expanded its fleet in the UK capital for handling ultra-large container ships
Boluda Towage has welcomed a newbuild reverse stern drive (RSD) tug to its fleet working on the River Thames and estuary near London, UK.
VB Boluman entered service during March 2026 to strengthen Boluda UK’s towage capabilities to assist the largest vessels navigating the highly tidal and demanding waters of the Thames.
The 24.7-m tugboat was built by Damen Shipyards in Vietnam to an RSD 2513 design with 80 tonnes of bollard pull, a beam of 13.1 m and technology for operations monitoring and reducing emissions.
Damen built VB Boluman for ship escort, towing, manoeurving, berthing and undocking and for emergency response and firefighting.
“Its combination of high power, compact dimensions and advanced systems makes VB Boluman ideally suited to the varied demands of one of the UK’s busiest and most complex waterways,” said Boluda Towage.
VB Boluman is powered by twin Caterpillar-manufactured Cat 3516C main engines, delivering a combined output of over 5,000 kW, driving two Kongsberg azimuth thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers in nozzles.
These high-speed, four-stroke engines are linked to an integrated selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with dedicated urea tanks for minimising NOx from their exhaust and for compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards.
Boluda Towage said this propulsion configuration “delivers exceptional power within a compact hullform” while the installation of the SCR “underlines Boluda Towage’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions and operating a more environmentally responsible fleet” working within the Port of London.
VB Boluman is equipped with a FiFi1-class firefighting system, featuring two remotely operated monitors with a combined capacity of up to 2,400 m³/hr, enabling the vessel to support emergency response and port safety operations when required.
It is designed for operational flexibility with a double-drum Damen-manufactured towing winch on the forward deck that has high-speed rendering and advanced force-limiting control “to enhance safety during escort and towage operations,” said Boluda.
The vessel’s twin-fin skeg design, developed by Damen in co-operation with Marin, “further enhances stability and control during indirect towing and escort work.”
Boluda Towage welcomed more tugs built by Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam in northern European ports in February and March after they were delivered to their home ports by Redwise Maritime Services following lengthy ocean voyages.
VB Foxtrot and VB Fantastic arrived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands at the end of February after being built to RSD 2513 design.
These 353-gt tugs have a bollard pull of 80 tonnes, FiFi1 class firefighting systems and IMO Tier III-compliant propulsion incorporating twin Caterpillar diesel four-stroke engines driving two Kongsberg azimuth thrusters.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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