Boluda Towage Adds 90-Tonne Tug for Norway Port and Offshore Operations
Boluda Towage has expanded its Norwegian fleet with the delivery of VB Norwegian Falcon, a new 90-tonne bollard pull escort tug built by Turkey’s Sanmar Shipyards to support commercial shipping, port operations, coastal towing and offshore support services in Norway.
The 32-metre azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug was constructed to the RAstar 3200 SX design developed by Robert Allan Ltd. and has 5,050 kW of installed power. The vessel is designed to handle demanding ship-escort and towing operations in a Nordic maritime market characterised by challenging weather conditions, high service standards and intensive port and offshore activity.
Boluda Towage said the vessel’s arrival represents a further step in its development plan across the Nordic countries, a strategically important region for the group.
Advanced Propulsion and Ship-Escort Capabilities
The VB Norwegian Falcon has a beam of 13 metres, a draught of 5.4 metres, a maximum speed of 14 knots and a bollard pull of 90 tonnes. Its stern roller and propulsion systems support towing, ship escort and maritime assistance in technically demanding environments.
The tug is powered by two high-speed, four-stroke Caterpillar 3513E diesel engines, each rated at 2,525 kW. The engines are connected to exhaust aftertreatment units designed to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and support compliance with IMO Tier III regulations. Propulsion is provided by two stern-mounted Z-drive azimuth thrusters.
Caterpillar also supplied two Cat C4 generator sets, each producing 99 kW of electrical power, alongside a separate generator rated at 36 ekW for use when the vessel is moored. A 125-kW Schottel bow thruster provides additional manoeuvrability during ship handling and port operations.
Boluda Towage said the combination of power, seaworthiness and high-performance propulsion systems makes the tug suited to the operational requirements of the Norwegian market.
Marine Firefighting and Emergency Response Systems
The 496-gross-tonne tug is classed by RINA and will be available for vessel towing and assistance along Norway’s coastline and in the country’s ports. Its planned duties include emergency response and offshore support services.
For marine firefighting, the vessel is equipped with a FiFi 1 system featuring two monitors, each capable of delivering 1,200 m³ of water per hour with a reach of 120 metres.
Its deck machinery includes a DMT RRW-H-800 escort winch with a split drum on the forward deck and a DMT TW-010-H-350 towing winch at the stern. Additional equipment comprises a 65-tonne Mampaey towing hook, a 5-tonne tugger winch, a 300-tonne shark jaw, a crane with a 12-metre reach and a set of fully retractable towing pins.
Together, these systems equip the vessel for specialised towing, escort and ship-handling assignments, alongside its firefighting and maritime assistance roles.
Fuel Capacity, Crew Accommodation and Navigation Equipment
The VB Norwegian Falcon can carry 165 m³ of marine gasoil and 20 m³ of potable water. It has accommodation for 10 crew members and an integrated wheelhouse workstation incorporating Furuno radar and an electronic chart system.
The tug was officially named in Turkey in mid-October and is scheduled to head to its home port of Florø in November.
What the New Tug Means for Norway’s Port and Offshore Operations
The delivery highlights the importance of specialised tugboat capacity to commercial shipping, port safety and offshore support in demanding maritime environments. In Norway, where weather conditions and intensive port activity can create complex ship-handling requirements, bollard pull, manoeuvrability and firefighting equipment are important operational capabilities.
With a stated bollard pull of 90 tonnes, dedicated escort winches and a FiFi 1 firefighting system, the VB Norwegian Falcon combines towing capability with equipment for maritime assistance and emergency response. Its exhaust aftertreatment systems are also designed to reduce NOx emissions in support of IMO Tier III requirements.
The vessel adds another tug to Boluda Towage’s Norwegian fleet, expanding the equipment available for port operations, coastal towing and offshore support. Its actual deployment will depend on operational requirements and service demand.
Boluda Towage’s Existing Norwegian Fleet
The new tug joins four vessels already operated by Boluda Towage in Norway:
- VB Florø: A 35-metre ASD tug built in 1994, with a bollard pull of 63 tonnes.
- VB Kinn: A 34-metre ASD tug built in 2001, with a bollard pull of 73 tonnes.
- VB Aarndal: A 29-metre tractor tug built in 1985, with a bollard pull of 42 tonnes.
- VB Slovag: A 29-metre tractor tug built in 1985, with a bollard pull of 42 tonnes.
The addition of VB Norwegian Falcon strengthens Boluda Towage’s available tugboat capacity in Norway, supporting its provision of ship towing, escort, maritime assistance and offshore services.
