The Port Autonome d’Abidjan has presented two Damen-built ASD tugboats for IRES as the Ivory Coast port expands shiphandling capacity for larger vessels, according to the Port Autonome d’Abidjan.
The VB Kudu and VB Nyala were officially presented at the Abidjan port platform on 5 May in a ceremony attended by representatives of the port authority, Boluda Towage and Africa Global Logistics.
The vessels were acquired by Société Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage, a Boluda Towage subsidiary, and built in 2025 by Damen Shipyards Group.
Each tug is 22.81 metres long, has 3,806 kW of power and 70 tonnes of bollard pull. The port said the vessels will assist larger ships, reduce risks during harbour manoeuvres and improve the flow of berthing and departure operations. IRES now has 12 tugs, including 10 based in Abidjan, to provide day-and-night assistance to vessels.
The Port Autonome d’Abidjan is the public authority responsible for the management, operation and development of the Port of Abidjan.
Société Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage provides towage and salvage services in Ivory Coast and operates as a subsidiary of Boluda Towage.
Boluda Towage is the towage arm of Boluda Corporación Marítima, providing harbour towage and maritime support services.
Damen Shipyards Group is a Netherlands-based shipbuilding group active in the design, construction and servicing of commercial and specialised vessels.
Africa Global Logistics is a transport and logistics group active in port, inland logistics, rail and freight forwarding operations in Africa.
