Ocean-going tugs "Made in China" for the German Navy

The German Armed Forces Procurement Office has purchased another used ocean-going tug for the German Navy. The tug is to operate under the name "Borkum" and was selected because it is only two years old. According to information from Koblenz, the purchase price is in the low double-digit million euro range. The purchase was realised within five months. The tug "Britoil Guardian" is currently sailing under the Singapore flag with the IMO number 9797280.

AHTS Britoil Guardian Photo. Britoil

The ship was built by Guangdong Yuexin Ocean Engineering in China under the construction number YX3252S. The shipyard was only founded under this name in 2000 and specialises in the construction of so-called AHTS - Anchor Handling Tug Supply. The tug was delivered to Britoil Offshore Services PTD LTD in November 2022 and was originally intended to be used under the name "Coral Guardian" to protect the Great Barrier Reef, i.e. as an emergency tug in the event that ships with manoeuvring difficulties or in the course of an accident endanger the reef. It is 70 m long, 17 m wide and has a GT of 2888 with a draught of 5.5 m. This type of tug can be safely described as the "simplest working vessel"; it does not have any equipment or specifications that deviate from the standard, e.g. underwater working equipment. Powered by three 2100Kw Caterpillar generators, two 2900Kw thrusters give the tug a top speed of 13.5 knots (Eco Speed 10.0 knots). The bollard pull is specified at 100 tonnes. German companies are also partners of the Chinese shipyard, including gearbox manufacturer ZF, drive manufacturer Schottel and Siemens. They supply shipping companies all over the world. According to the shipyard, particular emphasis is placed on comfortable interior fittings. This will certainly have to prove itself for the German Navy and its demands on accommodation and comfort. The ship has 8 single and 12 double cabins and can accommodate a further 20 people. The refit announced by the BAAINBw in 2025 is not intended to affect the accommodation, but only the fitting of military radio and navigation equipment.

The takeover of the future "Borkum" in Kiel is planned for September this year, followed by its commissioning in October. Until then, the "Borkum" will be available to the navy for in-house crew training. Together with the tugboat "Rügen", the "Borkum" will replace the over 50-year-old tugs "Wangerooge", "Spiekeroog" and "Fehmarn", which have been deemed uneconomical to repair. As things stand at present, they will serve as an interim solution for at least six years. A successor system will then be developed.