Boluda Towage held a Christening ceremony on 22 October to name their newest tug, VB Marte

 The naming ceremony for the new vessels joining Boluda Towage’s fleet in the region took place in Genoa. During the event, the latest Damen-built vessel, an ASD Tug 2813, was officially named VB Marte. The vessel was delivered by Damen in December last year at Damen Song Cam Shipyard and subsequently completed its voyage from Vietnam to Italy under its own power.

Safety and efficiency

The design of the ASD Tug 2813 is focused on a combination of safety and efficiency. With its wide, 12.93-metre beam, the tug offers extra stability. Operators are provided with a clear, unrestricted view from the wheelhouse. The tug is able to deliver up to 83 tonnes of bollard pull during towage.

From left to right: Antonio Marte (Sales Manager, Damen Shipyards), Alberto Dellepiane (Managing Director, Medtug), Raffaele Porzio (Senior Vice President, Head of Operations, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company), Vicente Boluda Fos (Chairman, Boluda Corporación Marítima), Anne-Marie Verheijden Marte (Godmother of VB Marte), Vicente Boluda Ceballos (Executive Chairman, Boluda Towage), Jorge Rosety (General Manager, Boluda Towage), José María Collado (Global Technical Director, Boluda Towage). 

Fully equipped

VB Marte is, however, equipped for more than towage. It is Damen’s practice to offer wide-ranging options to enable its proven, standard designs to be tailored to client-specific requirements.

In the case of this ASD Tug 2813, Boluda has opted to install an aft winch, crane, FiFi 1 firefighting system and oil spill recovery capabilities.

A tug for tomorrow

Damen Sales Manager Antonio Marte said: “Boluda has opted to build the tug fully equipped, and this has resulted in an extremely versatile asset. Plus, despite the Mediterranean not currently being designated as an NOx Emission Control Area under IMO Tier III, Boluda has chosen to install a Damen Marine NOx Reduction System, which reduces NOx emissions by 80%. This ensures the vessel’s suitability for operations not only now, but also into the future, demonstrating Boluda’s forward-thinking and responsible approach to its operations.

The lady sponsor for the naming was Anne-Marie Verheijden Marte, wife of Damen Sales Manager Antonio Marte. During the ceremony, Antonio added, “I am very honoured that my wife has been invited to name this wonderful tug. This occasion feels doubly special to me, marking the delivery of the-state of the art ASD Tug 2813 to one of Damen’s best customers, and also a proud moment for us all. Many thanks to the Boluda for this order and for the renewed trust in Damen.”

Related: Damen ASD Tug 2713 Fuel Flexible receives class and flag state approval

About: Damen

Damen is an international shipyard group, but at its heart, there is still a family company. We operate in every market where we see an opportunity to improve, innovate or invest. At Damen, we make time to listen to our clients. Our open, collaborative approach has been a key driver of our product portfolio’s evolution.

About: Boluda Corporacion Maritima

In 2017, Boluda Corporacion Maritima acquired the German towage companies of Unterweder Reederei and Lutgens & Reimers. Subsequently, on 1st August 2019, Boluda Corporación Marítima acquired Kotug Smit Towage. In February 2021, the harbour & offshore activities of Iskes Towage & Salvage were acquired, followed by the acquisition of the Scottish Caledonian Towage in December 2021. The most recent acquisition of the British SMS Towage took place in May 2024.

After the incorporation into the Boluda Towage Division, we can benefit from the support of a shipowner with a very strong maritime heritage. Boluda Corporación Marítima was established in 1837 and is a family-owned company. The company started its port tug activities in Valencia (Spain) in 1920.

Nowadays, Boluda Towage is one of the world’s leaders in maritime services. The company has a worldwide presence and operates a fleet of more than 400 vessels in 100 ports in 18 countries on 4 continents: Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In addition to port towage, we also provide offshore & ocean towage and salvage operations.

Source: Press Release

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