**Riviera** reports on the expansion of ice-class tug fleets in Scandinavia, driven by a rise in large vessel traffic requiring powerful towage during the harsh northern hemisphere winters.
Finnish tug owner **Alfons Håkans** bolstered its fleet with the addition of the low-emission tugboat _Ajax_, bought from **Sanmar Shipyards** of Turkey. The 26-meter azimuth stern drive tug, designed by **Robert Allan Ltd**, is built to comply with the Finnish ice class IA standard, featuring advanced propulsion systems and environmentally compliant engines.
_Ajax_ is seen as a pivotal vessel in the Baltic Sea, equipped for tasks such as ice breaking, ship escort, and open-sea towing. It's powered by two main diesel CAT engines and two azimuth thrusters, ensuring compliance with IMO Tier III emissions standards, key for **Alfons Håkans**' sustainability goals.
In Sweden, the **Port of Luleå** is fortifying its fleet with a new tugboat, _Victoria_, from **Damen Shipyards**. Scheduled for early 2025 delivery, _Victoria_ will offer 72 tonnes of pulling power and operate on biodiesel, supporting enhanced ice-breaking and ship assistance capabilities in the Gulf of Bothnia.
The Norwegian firm **Boa** also enhanced its operations with two Damen-designed tugs, focusing on sustainable and reliable towage solutions. These acquisitions highlight a broader trend towards modernizing fleets with ice-class vessels across Northern Europe.
Further expanding its northern presence, **Boluda Towage** acquired Finnish company Yxpila Hinaus-Bogsering. This acquisition, adding six vessels to its portfolio, underscores **Boluda**'s commitment to servicing Scandinavian ports under challenging ice conditions.
These strategic investments by leading maritime companies reflect an ongoing commitment to strengthen ice-class towing and ice-breaking capabilities, crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency in northern shipping lanes.
More on https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/news-content-hub/owners-invest-in-newbuild-ice-class-tugs-83487
