Commissioning of the ocean-going tug "Borkum"

The second-hand purchase comes into the fleet - a success story?

And today the young addition to the fleet was put into service.

It has been known for years that the German Navy had a problem with outdated tugs. But it was only when the old units could no longer be repaired profitably and they were virtually forced to give them up that they looked around. New build? Takes too long, procurement doesn't work. New purchase? No market available.

Ocean-going tug "Rügen" on the transfer voyage. Photo: Michael Nitz

The solution was the second-hand market. Pragmatically and with "turnaround money", it was suddenly very quick! The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag had approved 24 million euros to find an interim solution for sea tugs. Back in November, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) published a tender for the "purchase of two used, market-available ocean-going tugs". Two ocean-going tugs were sought to "tow ships with a full load of up to 21,000 tonnes in the A3 sea area to safe harbour." The "Rota Endurance" was awarded the first contract within just six months as the first of two ocean-going tugs. The boats serve as a replacement for the over 50-year-old tugs "Wangerooge", "Spiekeroog" and "Fehmarn". The "Rügen" was put into service on 23 August 2023. Commissioning of tugboat "Rügen"

The "Britoil Guardian" will in future be available to the Bundeswehr as the ocean-going tug "Borkum". Photo: Bundeswehr/Dodenhoff

The procurement of the second tug was not long in coming either. The still young "Britoil" may be "Made in China", but it is still young in years. See: Ocean-going tugs "Made in China" for the German Navy. And today, the young addition to the fleet was put into service. In the presence of the commander of the fleet, Vice Admiral Frank Lenski, it was "hot flag and pennant". This means that the crew, who had transferred the vessel from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, now have planning security. As with the "Rügen", extensive conversion and refurbishment work is now pending. In addition, the sea trials for the future tasks of the navy must be completed, because the vehicles are not just tugs. They are used for a variety of tasks, including training for pilots who have to practise emergency landings and survival at sea.

"Ex - Britoil" remains colourful

Initially, there will be no RAL 7000 colour scheme. This may not appeal to die-hard naval enthusiasts, but extensive preparatory work is necessary for this, the ship has to be completely out of the water for a long time and further work is then required on the underwater hull. There is simply no time for that now, availability is what counts. And so it will remain with the hull number for the time being.