Boluda joins Port of Bunbury as new towage contractor

The company, which operates in more than 232 ports globally, was awarded a 10-year contract to provide services at the South West port following a competitive tender process.

The new contract was announced today, Thursday 12 November, by the Minister for Ports Stephen Dawson.

 “WA’s ports are key to our economic success, and tug services play a critical role enabling vessels carrying millions of tonnes of trade to safely come and go each year.

“The Port of Bunbury alone facilitated 16.9 million tonnes of trade, with 418 vessel visits in the past year. Tug masters work closely in tandem with local marine teams to ensure each movement they make is a success.

“As the Port of Bunbury grows alongside the South West, Boluda Towage will play an important role in supporting safe and reliable port operations.

“The Cook Labor Government is proud to support our regional communities, and ports play a significant role in driving trade, creating jobs and delivering flow-on economic benefits across the State.”

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said Boluda had developed a strong reputation working at leading European ports.

“We expect that they’ll provide great service alongside our Bunbury marine team.

“Having a towage provider with global backing on the scale of Boluda’s is a great opportunity as we continue to invest in the expansion of the Port of Bunbury to meet the needs of the growing South West region over the next decade.

“We thank Svitzer Australia and its team for the tremendous service they have provided in Bunbury for the past five years and look forward to continue working with them at our Port of Albany.”

Boluda Towage Managing Director Towage Australia Ivan Spanjic said commencing operations in Bunbury marks an important milestone for Boluda in Western Australia.

“It builds on our established presence in Esperance, reinforcing our growing presence in the region.

“We’re investing in the operation with the introduction of two new IMO Tier III-compliant tugs, representing a significant improvement in emissions performance for towage operations in the Port of Bunbury, while delivering safe, reliable, and efficient services.

“We value our longstanding relationship with Southern Ports and look forward to strengthening that partnership, supporting our customers, and contributing to the continued growth of the Port of Bunbury and the industries it serves." 

Boluda Towage will service the port with new tugs, with the first set to arrive December followed by the arrival of a second in February – a tug from Boluda Towage’s Esperance fleet will provide service in the interim period.

The Port of Bunbury becomes the ninth port in Australia where Boluda Towage will offer services, alongside Weipa, Mackay, Gladstone, Brisbane, Newcastle, Port Botany, Melbourne and Esperance.

It took over operations at the Port of Esperance, also operated by Southern Ports, in November 2025 after acquiring local tug operator Mackenzie Marine and Towage.

Svitzer Australia will continue to provide its services at Southern Ports’ Port of Albany.

Boluda Towage Managing Director Towage Australia Ivan Spanjic and Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks