Redwise has successfully completed the delivery voyage of two Damen RSD 2513 tugboats, VB-048 and VB-049, from Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam to the Port of Rotterdam on behalf of Boluda Towage. Following their safe arrival in the Netherlands, the vessels will soon join Boluda Towage’s fleet to support harbour towage operations in Rotterdam.

These two vessels, which will be renamed VB Foxtrot (ex-VB-048) and VB Fantastic (ex-VB-049), are Damen-designed RSD 2513 tugboats, each capable of delivering an impressive 80 tonnes of bollard pull. Equipped with FiFi-1 firefighting notation and built in compliance with IMO Tier III emissions standards, the tugs combine high performance with environmentally responsible design, positioning them well for the future of sustainable port operations. Once operational, the new harbour tugs will support towage activities in the Port of Rotterdam, one of Europe’s busiest and most demanding maritime environments. According to Boluda Towage, the addition of these vessels further strengthens their operational capacity within the port.

For the delivery of these twin vessels, Redwise was responsible for the complete voyage management, including providing two experienced delivery crews, voyage planning, maintenance and operational coordination throughout the journey. Mobilisation of the Redwise crew took place immediately after the Christmas and New Year holidays, allowing the tugs to depart the shipyard in Vietnam shortly thereafter. The delivery voyage required careful preparation and coordination across multiple regions and operational environments. A notable aspect of the project was the transit through the Suez Canal, marking a return for Redwise to deliver vessels under own power through the Red Sea and the Suez canal after an extended period in which the alternative route via Cape of Good Hope had been prevailing for security and safety reasons, for the tugs but no less for our crews. The transit required close coordination with Boluda Towage as vessel owner, vessel insurers, Security team and regional agents to ensure safe passage through the Red Sea area, while maintaining a primary focus on the safety of both crew and vessel.

Redwise likes to thank Boluda Towage for once again placing its trust in the company. The voyage adds to the growing list of tug deliveries performed by Redwise on behalf of Boluda, highlighting the strong collaboration between the two companies and the ability to jointly manage the operational challenges that accompany complex international delivery voyages. At the same token we want to thank our loyal crewmembers, with in excess of 70 seafarers permanently employed together with contracted colleagues who take it upon them to deliver these vessels across the oceans.

Redwise is a Netherlands-based maritime service provider being market leader in global ship delivery of vessels under own power and on their own keel. In addition to this, we provide crew management, deep sea pilotage, and the operation of the survey vessel ARCTIC. Known for our hands-on approach, experienced personnel employed by Redwise both on-shore and at sea, with a practical problem-solving mindset, we are proud to support shipowners, shipyards and operators worldwide across a wide range of vessel types and projects.

Source: Redwise; Photo’s Frits van der Hoek