The world’s largest tugboat operator Boluda Towage has signed a deal to acquire French vessel owner Les Abeilles International. Les Abeilles, created in 1864, is contracted by Marine National for rapid response rescue and anti-pollution interventions. The company has carried out more than 200 successful maritime rescue operations over the last 20 years. This acquisition will enhance Boluda Towage’s capacity to act in case of offshore spills, with highly qualified equipment and state-of-the-art technology. The Spanish firm will also increase its position as a new player in the offshore wind market, supporting the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The company will add a total of six vessels to its fleet – four tugs, one multipurpose vessel, and one AHTS tug. Three of the tugs, the Abeille Bourbon, the Abeille Liberté, and the Abeille Normandie, are based on the coasts of the English Channel while the Abeille Méditerranée is based in Toulon. The other two vessels to be incorporated are the multipurpose vessel Jason and the AHTS tug Abeille Horizon. Boluda Towage France will take over the management, shore staff, and crews of Les Abeilles which consist of over a hundred professionals. In under two weeks, the Spanish firm bought two companies. Recently, Boluda Towage bought the UK-based SMS Towage and its fleet of 20 tugs. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsFrance Spain