It can be a little faster sometimes!
On 10 November last year, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved 24 million euros to find an interim solution for sea tugs. On 26 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 sea area A3 to safe harbour." Briefly explained: Sea area A3 refers to those sea areas that lie outside coastal waters, i.e. by European standards the Atlantic Ocean west of the British/Irish sea borders. The tugs should have a workboat and be able to embark additional personnel.
According to the tender, ships that are no more than 20 years old are required. The timetable stipulated that tenders should be submitted by 19 January 2023. The Bundeswehr procurement authority planned to sign a contract by 12 April 2023. Delivery of the navy's future ocean-going tugs is to take place in Kiel. And now it has happened: The "Rota Endurance" was awarded the contract within just six months as the first of two ocean-going tugs. The boats will replace the over 50-year-old tugs "Wangerooge", "Spiekeroog" and "Fehmarn".
According to the Bundeswehr, maintenance work still needs to be carried out by the previous shipowner. Once this has been completed, the ship is expected to arrive in Kiel in July 2023. The final inspection and familiarisation of the new crew will take place there. In a final step, the Naval Arsenal The Rostock site is still undergoing the necessary military adjustments.
The tender for the procurement of the second ocean-going tugboat is also already in full swing.
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There are still signs and wonders 😉 However, there is still a need for successors to "former" tugboats, for example for the TSB in Neustadt or Eckernförde. When will something happen?