CÔTE D’IVOIRE – TWO NEW TUGBOATS TO STRENGTHEN THE OPERATIONAL CAPACITY OF THE PORT OF ABIDJAN

The Port Autonome d’Abidjan has reached a new milestone in its ongoing modernization drive and efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities.

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Abidjan port platform hosted the official presentation ceremony of two next-generation tugboats, in a context marked by strong growth in maritime traffic and the arrival of increasingly large vessels, particularly new-generation container ships.

The ceremony was attended by several authorities from the maritime and port sectors, including Colonel Emmanuel Yao Coffi, Director of Maritime Operations, Safety and Environment at the Port Autonome d’Abidjan (PAA), representing Mr. Kassoum Traoré, Acting Director General of the PAA; Mr. Philippe Coudray, Operations Director of BOLUDA Towage, representing its CEO; and Ms. Asta Rosa Cissé, Regional Director of Africa Global Logistics (AGL).

Acquired by the Société Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage (IRES), a subsidiary of BOLUDA Towage, the two ASD-type tugboats—named VB KUDU and VB NYALA—were built in 2025 by the Dutch group Damen Shipyards Group, a global reference in shipbuilding.

Measuring 22.81 meters in length and delivering 3,806 kW of power, these units have a bollard pull of 70 tonnes. Their performance will enable more precise assistance to large vessels, reduce risks associated with port maneuvers, and improve the fluidity of berthing and departure operations. As such, they represent a key asset for enhancing the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic flows.

According to the representative of the PAA’s Acting Director General, this investment addresses a major strategic challenge: maintaining the competitiveness of the Port of Abidjan in an increasingly competitive port environment. These new assets will also help strengthen operational safety, improve the quality of services provided to shipowners, and sustainably support the growth of port activities.

With a fleet now comprising twelve (12) tugboats, including ten (10) based in Abidjan, IRES aims to ensure continuous assistance to vessels, day and night.

Beyond the technical aspect, this acquisition reflects the determination of BOLUDA Towage to anticipate the transformations of global maritime transport, characterized by increasing trade volumes and rapidly evolving international logistics standards.

Through this initiative, the Port Autonome d’Abidjan and BOLUDA Towage reaffirm their shared ambition to make the Port of Abidjan a leading logistics platform on Africa’s Atlantic coast, capable of meeting the growing demands of international maritime trade.

Source: PAA