Spanish towage giant Boluda has struck a $640m deal to acquire Royal Boskalis’ harbour towage and salvage business in Australia and Papua New Guinea, cementing its position as the world’s largest operator in the sector.
The takeover hands Boluda operations at key bulk and energy hubs, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Gladstone, Perth, and Port Moresby. These ports handle high volumes of iron ore, coal, LNG, gold and lithium exports, connecting Australia’s raw material production to global markets, particularly in Asia.
The move lifts Boluda’s global footprint to over 230 ports across five continents and boosts its fleet to more than 850 vessels. The company now employs around 10,000 people worldwide, including over 8,000 seafarers.
“With this acquisition, we improve the service and operational efficiency for our clients, consolidating ourselves as the leading global player in towage,” said Vicente Boluda Ceballos, chairman of Boluda Towage. He added the company aims to support port infrastructure development through improved efficiency, safety and sustainability.
The deal further strengthens Boluda’s presence in the Asia Pacific, where it already operates in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Timor-Leste.
