Boluda France has placed an order for a new series of multi-purpose harbour and coastal ASD tugs from Piriou Shipyard.
To be built in Vietnam and put to service in French harbours, the Escort-class steel vessels measure 30.3 metres by 10.4 metres and have a bollard pull of 77 tonnes.
Suitable for a crew of six, they will be powered by two 2,240kW diesel engines that enable the vessel to reach a speed of 13 knots.
The multipurpose tug will be used for "push pull" towage and harbour assistance operations, deep-sea operations and assisting vessels in access channels.
Options include Fi-Fi 1 equipment for fire fighting, aft sea towing winch and tugger winch for deep-sea towage and double-drum fore winch with escort function.
Delivery of the first two units is scheduled for 2019.
