VB Boluman enters service on the River Thames

VB Boluman enters service on the River Thames

London, 20 March 2026

VB Boluman entered service on the River Thames this week, strengthening Boluda UK’s towage capability with the arrival of a new RSD 2513 tug, recently delivered from Damen Shipyards in Vietnam.

The vessel is a state of the art Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tug, specifically designed for high performance harbour and escort operations. With an 80 tonne bollard pull and full escort notation, VB Boluman is fully equipped to safely assist the largest vessels navigating the highly tidal and demanding waters of the Thames.

Measuring 24.7 metres in length with a beam of 13.1 metres, VB Boluman delivers exceptional power within a compact hull form. She is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516C main engines, delivering a combined output of over 5,000 kW, driving Kongsberg azimuthing rudder propellers in nozzles. This configuration provides outstanding manoeuvrability, precise control and strong indirect escort forces, even in challenging tidal conditions.

The tug is fully IMO Tier III compliant, achieving the most stringent NOx emission limits through an integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with dedicated urea tanks. This underlines Boluda UK’s ongoing commitment to reducing emissions and operating a more environmentally responsible fleet.

VB Boluman is also equipped with a Fire Fighting 1 (FiFi 1) system, featuring two remotely operated monitors with a combined capacity of up to 2,400 m³/h, enabling the vessel to support emergency response and port safety operations when required.

Designed for operational flexibility, the tug is fitted with a double drum Damen towing winch on the foredeck, with high speed rendering and advanced force limit control to enhance safety during escort and towage operations. The vessel’s Twin Fin® skeg design, developed in cooperation with MARIN, further enhances stability and control during indirect towing and escort work.

This highly capable addition will immediately begin operations on the River Thames, supporting both large deep sea vessels and smaller, more intricate movements within the Port of London. Her combination of high power, compact dimensions and advanced systems makes VB Boluman ideally suited to the varied demands of one of the UK’s busiest and most complex waterways.