Seatrade Maritime: Boluda buying spree continues with Boskalis’ Australia and PNG towage

Spanish towage specialist Boluda continues its acquisition spree by buying Royal Boskalis’ harbour towage and salvage business in Australia and Papua New Guinea for $640 million.

Boluda’s latest purchase adds 39 modern and versatile tugs to its fleet , with regional headquarters in Sydney, Australia, the operation serves nine key ports, including the ports of Weipa, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Brisbane, Newcastle, Botany, Melbourne, and Papua New Guinea. 

The deal also strengthens Boluda’s presence in the Asia Pacific, where it already operates in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Timor-Leste.

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.