In March 2018, BOLUDA FRANCE, a subsidiary of BOLUDA CORPORACION  MARITIMA -the second largest towage operator worldwide- had ordered a new series of tugs from PIRIOU shipyard with a firm order for two first units to be delivered in June 2019.

The next two units -the order of which was confirmed in May 2018- will be delivered by the end of 2019.
In this series of eight tugs, two new units were confirmed by BOLUDA FRANCE to PIRIOU for a delivery in May 2020.

Built by PIRIOU Vietnam with a standard PIRIOU design which meets BOLUDA FRANCE’s specific requirements, the six tugs of this new series -with a bollard pull of 77 tonnes and measuring 30.3mwill be put to service in French harbours.

This order comes after a first series of eight 70 tonnes bollard pull tugs built by PIRIOU for BOLUDA FRANCE between 2007 and 2009 and a second series of six tugs built by PIRIOU’s Vietnamese shipyard which were delivered between 2015 and 2017: VB OURAGAN, VB CYCLONE, VB TYPHON, VB TEMPETE, VB VOLCAN, VB TORNADE.

Vincent FAUJOUR, PIRIOU General Manager declares: ‘This new firm order shows our Vietnamese shipyard has been able to maintain the confidence of a longstanding and major customer for our group. We are thus continuing the strategic partnership we initiated with BOLUDA FRANCE 20 years ago. This is the sign of mutual confidence and respect’.

Denis MONSERAND, BOLUDA France General Manager adds: ‘With this new firm order, we confirm our trust in PIRIOU shipyard which has been designing for us and delivering quality tugs perfectly adapted to our customers’ requirements. This new series will be built with increased power compared to the previous generation, to reach a 77 tonnes bollard pull. This will allow our crews to operate in the best safety conditions vessels of ever-growing length’.

Multipurpose harbour and coastal ASD tugs with Escort class
These units will be built on the OST 30’ (Omni Stern Tug) model, issued from the range of tugs designed by PIRIOU.

The ’OST 30’ is a multipurpose tug developed for ‘push pull’ type towage and harbour
assistance operations as well as deep sea operations. With a hull length of 30.3m, it is also fitted to bring assistance to vessels in access channels.

This tug is equipped with two aft azimuth propellers (Azimuth Stern Drive), driven by two marine medium-speed diesel engines, fresh-water cooled with box cooler refrigerants.

At the bridge, the ergonomics of the single-command control station and the high visibility over the entire working area and its surroundings allow the captain to manoeuvre his tug alone.

In order to answer to operating conditions required by BOLUDA FRANCE, these tugs will be fitted with many pieces of equipment including:
– Fi-Fi 1 equipment for fire fighting
– Aft sea towing winch and tugger winch for deep sea towage
– Double drum fore winch with Escort function

The OST 30 are designed to be maintained every five years with special antifouling and ICAF system. Accommodation is in accordance with ILO 2006 requirements and special attention is paid to noise reduction.

Main characteristics
Length overall ……………………………………………. 30.3 m
Breadth moulded ………………………………………. 10.4 m
Depth at main deck ……………………………………. 4.45 m
Max. draught ………………………………………………. 5.3 m
Bollard pull @ 100 % MCR ……………………………… 77 t
Fuel capacity …………………………………………. 85 m3
Fresh water capacity ………………………………. 16 m3
Speed …………………………………………………….13 kn
Propulsion …………………………………. 2 x 2240 kW
Crew …………………………………………………………….6
Hull/superstructure …………………………………… steel