After
a tendering procedure, the Board of Directors of the Port of Zeebrugge has
decided to award the concession for the towage
services for the Port of Zeebrugge to Boluda Towage Europe. This
contract has a duration of five years and starts on the 1st of
January 2021.
The
concession is the renewal of an existing partnership, and is extendable for a
single period of three years. The focus of this partnership between Port of
Zeebrugge and Boluda Towage Europe lays in efficient, smooth, and safe handling
of shipping at a competitive price point, and puts forward initiatives
regarding sustainability.
Two
new tugboats, that are complying with the most recent Tier III emission
standards, will be put to use. Aside from the Union Koala, that was
retrofitted to the IMO Tier III standards in 2019, Boluda Towage Europe will
retrofit the Union Panda this year. The emissions of the remaining
tugboats will be reduced in the first two years of the contract. As such,
emissions of nitrogen oxides will be reduced with 80%. Shore power will also
become the norm for moored tugboats, so that these can switch off their engines
when inactive and during the rest-period of the crew.
In total eight
tugboats will be put into action in the Port of Zeebrugge. These are all
certified with the highest fire fighting standards. The tugs will be
manned with local crew.
Boluda Towage Europe’s CEO, Geert Vandecappelle: “We are proud
that the concession for the towage services in the Port of Zeebrugge has been
reassigned to us for the coming five years.
It is also thanks to our local crew members, and the support of
their families that this concession was allocated to us. These crew members
have given the best of themselves for our company in Zeebrugge, from the early years of URS until the present company
Boluda Towage. Moreover, they have passed on
their loyalty, passion, and professional attitude from generation to generation
within their families. For them, this allocation is of major importance, as
they can keep on exercising their profession in Zeebrugge for the years to
come.
From our long-standing partnership with the Port of Zeebrugge and
our historical roots in this port, we have gained a lot of local knowledge. For the coming
years, we will intensify our cooperation, where we can pursue our common goals
to make the logistical chain in the Port of Zeebrugge more sustainable."
Rik Goetinck, CEO a.i. Port of Zeebrugge: “The renewal of the
partnership with Boluda Towage Europe means that a correct, loyal and
professional service will be continued, and that we can further promote
sustainable shipping in the Port of Zeebrugge. The initiatives of Boluda Towage
Europe perfectly match our clean port strategy, and their long-term knowledge
about the port ensures smooth and safe
shipping.”