The Port of Lomé in Togo has enhanced its maritime capabilities with a new tugboat that can generate 80 tons of bollard pull, aiming to accommodate larger vessels and boost its competitiveness in West Africa.
The tugboat, operated by Boluda, arrived at the port earlier this week. It was received by Edem Kokou Tengue, director general of the Lomé Port Authority. Built in 2026 by SANMAR, the vessel measures 23 metres long and 12 metres wide, powered by two Caterpillar 3516 engines with over 6,000 horsepower. It can accommodate six crew members and sailed from Las Palmas with a Togolese crew.
New Tugboat Enhances Port of Lomé’s Capacity
The addition of the tugboat is part of Togo’s strategy to strengthen its position as a key maritime hub in West Africa. The vessel’s 80-ton bollard pull capacity surpasses the 70 tons of other tugboats currently at the port, improving the ability to assist larger ships during berthing and unberthing operations.
This investment comes amid increasing competition from other regional ports, particularly Ghana’s Tema Port. The Port of Lomé aims to consolidate its status as a major trade and logistics gateway in the region.
Togo: Key figures on Port Operations
- 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled in 2025, a 16 percent increase from 2024
Future Developments at the Port of Lomé
- An official naming ceremony for the tugboat is scheduled for January 2027.
The new tugboat is set to improve the Port of Lomé’s efficiency and safety in handling larger vessels.
