Bauda Towage, a division of Valencia-based Boluda Corporación Maritima, one of the world’s largest tugboat operators, has entered into an agreement with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards to build the first tugboat to use methanol.
As explained by both companies, the agreement makes it possible to bring “zero emission” tugboats to Europe. The vessel to be produced within this alliance will be the Damen RSD-E tug 2513 which is expected to be completed between 2024 and 2025 and the two companies are working together to identify the port that best suits their operational profiles Is.
According to Damen Shipyards, with 35 shipyards and facilities in several countries, it aims to become the most sustainable shipbuilder in the world by developing electric ships. This completely new design draws on Damen’s experience and insights from its extensive R&D capabilities in alternative sustainable powertrains.
For its part, Boluda Towage has been investing for years to achieve cleaner and more ecological operations in ports. An important milestone in its ambition to work to reduce emissions has been a multiple order in 2020 for IMO TIER III tugboats, which are leading the way in terms of sustainability.
open to other partners
Boluda Towage and Damen Shipyard look forward to working with other maritime stakeholders to accelerate the transition to clean vessels, especially those operating in or near urban areas.
Vicente Boluda Ceballos, Vice President of Boluda Towage, said: “We are very proud of this collaboration with Damen Shipyard, which represents a significant technological advancement for our industry. We know we are in an increasingly complex environment which requires us to always stay.up-to-date.at the forefront of solutions to enhance safety in our operations, limit our environmental carbon footprint, and meet the needs of our customers. With that objective in mind, We look forward to continuing our journey as an industry and marine towing leader”
A few months ago Boluda Towage closed the purchase agreement for operator Smit Lamnalco. An operation that makes it a world leader in this sector with a fleet of 600 vessels and a presence in 50 countries and 148 ports around the world.
