Sanmar has delivered a third tug to Spain-headquartered major international maritime service provider Boluda Towage in just three months’ time.

The delivery of BOĞAÇAY LXVII, to be renamed VB TRAGEN by its new owner, follows the sale and delivery of two former Sanmar fleet tugs – VB HORUS and VB AMON – to Boluda Towage in November last year. These were the first two tugs that Sanmar delivered to its new customer.

VB TRAGEN has been delivered to support Boluda Towage’s services for LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) operations in Germany. VB TRAGEN, which was built in 2022 and also previously worked in the Sanmar fleet, is based on the best-selling exclusive-to-Sanmar RAmparts 2400-SX design from Canada-based naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, and is specifically designed for optimal efficiency in ship-handling duties for sea-going ships. The RAmparts series is widely seen as the most versatile, multi-purpose type of tug in use today.

Measuring 24.4m LOA excluding fenders, with a moulded breadth of 11.25m, moulded depth of 4.38m and maximum operating draft of approximately 5.25m, the twin Z-drive VB TRAGEN can achieve an impressive bollard pull of at least 80 tonnes and a free running speed of 12.5 knots.

With accommodation for a crew of up to six, the tug’s tank capacities include 74,200 ltrs of fuel oil and 10,800 ltrs of fresh water. Its main fire-fighting pump is driven by a clutched flexible coupling in front of the port side main engine and provides approximately 2700m3/hour to tackle blazes. The tug has Fi-Fi 1 notation.

Constructed at Sanmar’s purpose-built shipyards in Turkiye, VB TRAGEN’s design emphasizes low-manning operation with advanced machinery automation and the tug represents the most technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly version of the range to date.

Ruchan Civgin, Commercial Director of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “Boluda Towage is a major player in our industry and we are delighted to have them as a new customer. Developing new business relationships, in which we work closely together to explore how we can match the client’s specific operational needs is always a pleasure.”

Boluda Towage is a family-owned company, a world leader in maritime services, providing towage services in the main ports of the world. This division of Boluda Corporación Marítima is currently present on the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and operates a solid, diverse, and extensive fleet with dedicated and highly-skilled crew. This division also offers towage and salvage operations on the high seas.