The Autonomous Port of Abidjan (PAA) has reached a new milestone in its pursuit of excellence. On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the port officially welcomed two state-of-the-art tugboats. This substantial investment aims to adapt the port's operational capacity to the arrival of increasingly large vessels and the surge in regional traffic.

A strategic partnership for the Ivorian economy

The presentation ceremony brought together Colonel Emmanuel Yao Coffi (representing the General Directorate of the Port of Abidjan) as well as the leaders of the BOLUDA Towage and Africa Global Logistics groups. This synergy between the port authorities and private partners underscores the vital importance of this project for the competitiveness of Côte d'Ivoire.

Technical focus: Power and precision

Acquired by the Ivorian Towing and Rescue Company ( IRES ), these two vessels, named VB KUDU and VB NYALA , display impressive characteristics:

1. Builder: Damen Shipyards Group (Netherlands), delivered in 2025.
2. Type: Ultra-maneuverable ASD (Azimuth Stern Drive) tugs.
3. Power: 3,806 kW for a length of 22.81 meters.
4. Traction capacity: 70 tonnes , ideal for new generation giant container ships.

The challenges: Security and fluidity

The integration of this technical equipment helps to address three major challenges:

1. Optimizing maneuvers: Increased precision during docking and undocking.
2. Enhanced security: Drastic reduction in the risk of incidents during delicate operations.
3. Traffic flow: Faster flow management to minimize waiting time for ships at berth.

"This investment addresses a strategic requirement: maintaining the competitiveness of the port of Abidjan in the face of increased regional and international competition."

Towards an essential logistics hub

With these two new units, the IRES fleet increases to twelve tugboats (ten of which are based in Abidjan). This operational capability guarantees 24/7 assistance, consolidating Abidjan's status as the major logistics hub of West Africa .

More than just a technical update, the arrival of the VB KUDU and the VB NYALA symbolizes Ivory Coast's ambition to establish itself permanently as a key player in global trade.