"We only have one planet and need to make sure that our children & grandchildren still have a planet to live on.”

During the International Environment & Oceans week, we were talking to some of the colleagues of Boluda Towage’s Technical Fleet Department. José Maria Collado (Global Technical Director) and Stijn Van Beneden (Innovation Manager Europe) team up on the sustainable projects Boluda Towage is currently involved in and take us and how these projects actively shaping the maritime sector's sustainability efforts.

As the leader of the pack, Boluda Towage plays an important role as a frontrunner in emission reductions of Nox, Co2, PM, and HC.

A recent milestone is the cooperation between Boluda Towage and Damen Shipyards to start using the Damen electrical-driven tugs in our European operations and we will build together the first methanol-powered tug.

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Prioritizing sustainability in our operations

Boluda Towage shows its commitment to sustainability by promoting this in the organization and prioritizing sustainability in its operations.

In 2023, we started with the implementation of the fuel monitoring system on our tugs to reduce CO2 emissions. We are actively monitoring the fuel consumption on board our vessels keeping the safety demand by the ports and becoming more efficient in our work. We have achieved already a 10% reduction in CO2 in the ports where this system is implemented.

Our tug masters receive in-house training, on a simulator and on tugs, to learn the ins and outs of our operation. Combined with fuel consumption monitoring, our crew learn to sail in the most fuel-efficient way. And on the other hand, the Dispatch receives the necessary training and tools to deploy our tugs in the most efficient way.”

Boluda Towage has proven evidence by being the first towage provider in Europe to build and operate hybrid tugs and to retrofit existing tugs to the highest IMO Tier III standards.

In 2020, we retrofitted several vessels to a higher IMO Tier certification and upgraded vessels from IMO Tier I to IMO Tier III, reducing their NOx emission by 80%. This equals 118 tonnes less NOx per year. Next to this, we have upgraded already eight vessels from IMO Tier I to IMO Tier II reducing the NOx emissions by 30%. Those vessels are operating in the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam, and North Sea Port.

One year later, four newbuild IMO Tier III certified tugs have been delivered to several ports. Nowadays, IMO Tier III is a standard part of Boluda Towage’s new building program.

The three hybrid tugs, operating in Rotterdam and Bremen since 2012 and 2015, increase power efficiency and achieve an overall emission reduction of 35% (on CO2, NOx, PM, and HC). Next to the lower emission, those vessels reduce noise and vibration becoming more friendly to use.

Another key achievement that Boluda Towage has accomplished in terms of sustainability and environmental stewardship is the installation and use of OPS (Offshore Power Supply) to reduce the CO2, NOx, PM, and HC emissions during the time that we are alongside.

Roadmap future fuels

Looking ahead to the future plans and goals of Boluda Towage in terms of sustainable practices and environmental responsibility is our involvement in feasibility studies to investigate the use of future fuels on board our tugs. These studies are a first step to understanding the practical side of future fuels and will prepare us for a carbon-neutral/carbon-free future.”

For example, we are continuing to test biofuels, together with the main engine suppliers to follow the roadmap of IMO. By switching over to biofuels, we will be able to reduce our CO2 emissions and operate carbon neutral.

Boluda Towage has defined a roadmap for future fuels to make our towage operations carbon-neutral and/or carbon-free. This roadmap will shape the towage world towards 2030 and 2050: ?

1. Electrical tugs: we have signed an agreement with Damen to start using the electrical Damen build tugs in its European operations. By introducing those electrical tugs we will be using a carbon-free tug before 2030.
2. Methanol-driven tug: Methanol is the second fuel that can play an important role in the future of towage. Together with Damen, Boluda Towage will build the first methanol-driven tug in Europe that will come into operation within two years. This tug will enable us to operate carbon neutral when we use green methanol.
3. Hydrogen-driven tug: Hydrogen is a longer-term possible solution in towage and we are exploring the possible use of hydrogen onboard our tugs through a feasibility study.

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Challenges & Opportunities

Boluda Towage is well known in the maritime industry and logistical supply chain, and is often asked as a speaker in different forums. During these sessions, we share insights and experiences in our sustainable projects with the aim to inspire other companies to take steps toward sustainability. We try to lead by example and show the industry our achievements and the challenges we face.

Innovation and technological advancements play an important role in Boluda Towage's sustainability efforts. They enable us to implement the correct tools in a very efficient way and to quickly make the first giant steps. Those tools also enable us to gather data, where this hasn’t been possible before, and to use this data to its full potential. For instance, it helps us to predict the most efficient way our tugs should and can be used. ?

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Importance of protecting our planet & oceans

Finally, on World Environment and Oceans Day, we would like to spread the message about our commitment to sustainability, and innovation, to significantly lower our carbon footprint on the planet and oceans.

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We all should make sure that we protect our oceans by all means. Our oceans form the largest part of the world and are essential in making life possible on our planet.

"We only have one planet and need to make sure that our children and grandchildren still have a planet to live on."

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Making steps to decrease emissions and increase sustainability should be done by everyone. We, as Boluda Towage, are taking the front-runner seat, but we cannot do this alone. Everyone should take responsibility for this and take a role in this.

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We are open-minded to share our experiences with everyone to promote the protection of our oceans and our planet.?