The tender for the purchase of the second commercially available ocean tug for the German Navy was announced by the Bundeswehr’s procurement department, the German publication Hartpunkt reported on June 21.
Like the tug Rügen, which was already purchased last year, the Brithuil Guardian, the future Borkum, was purchased second-hand on the civilian market, according to the Bundeswehr’s procurement department. The choice fell on this tug partly due to its small age of two years. According to available data, the purchase amount amounts to several tens of millions of euros.
Both ocean tugs are intended to be a temporary solution for at least six years. The Bundeswehr believes that the purchase of used ships will allow them to be put into operation much faster. The Brithuil Guardian will be used together with the tug Rügen as a replacement for the tugs Wangeroog, Spiekeroog and Fehmarn, which are more than 50 years old and would not be cost-effective to repair.
The reception of the future Borkum in Kiel is planned for September and the commissioning for October this year. In the summer of 2025, a slight re-equipment of the dock is planned, during which all military-necessary upgrades will be made, in particular the installation of military radio and navigation equipment. In order not to waste time, Borkum will then be at the disposal of the German Navy for independent crew training.
This is Germany’s second attempt to acquire a maritime tug. The first tender was canceled at the end of 2023. According to a message from the Bundeswehr procurement office published on the European online procurement platform TED on March 5, the second “new” tug should be able to “operate with a full load of up to 21,000 tonnes in maritime zone A3”. IA Krasnaya Vesna).
In addition to the ocean tug with all equipment and technical and ship documentation, the purchase also includes the training of a crew of 10, the Bundeswehr added.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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