Boluda Towage Deploys Damen ASD Tug 2813 in Genoa

Boluda Towage has officially commissioned its latest vessel in Genoa, naming the Damen ASD Tug 2813 as VB Marte. The tug, delivered by the Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam last December, reached Italy under its own power.

While the ASD Tug 2813 series is a standard design, Boluda’s configuration signals a shift toward multi-purpose port assets. Beyond the core 83 tonnes of bollard pull, the vessel features an aft winch, crane, FiFi 1 firefighting system, and oil spill recovery capabilities. This expansion of onboard equipment suggests a tactical move by Boluda to consolidate service offerings, allowing a single vessel to handle complex harbour duties that might otherwise require specialized auxiliary craft.

Strategic Emission Compliance

The most significant technical inclusion is the integration of a Damen Marine NOx Reduction System, which cuts nitrogen oxide emissions by 80 percent. Although the Mediterranean is not currently designated as an IMO Tier III NOx Emission Control Area, the decision to install this equipment represents a hedge against inevitable regulatory tightening in European waters.

By opting for this abatement technology now, Boluda avoids the prohibitive costs and operational downtime associated with retrofitting exhaust gas treatment systems later. This preemptive investment provides the operator with immediate operational flexibility, ensuring the VB Marte remains compliant and commercially attractive should the Mediterranean basin adopt stricter emission standards during the vessel’s lifecycle.