Tug Bülk on a farewell tour: Last trip to the Adriatic!

Tug Bülk on a farewell tour: Last trip to the Adriatic!

Kiel, Deutschland - The tractor "Bülk" started his last trip after 28 years of service in the port of Kiel. On May 31, 2025, the 30 -meter -long ship broke up towards Trieste, where it will now be used under the name "Hulk". This trip to the Adriatic, which will take about two weeks, is the end of a long and eventful history of the ship, which has been part of the Kiel tract fleet since 1987. According to kn-online.de Since the towing and ferry company Kiel (SFK) is faced with declines for orders and ships in the North Ostsee Canal.

The shipping company Ocean team from Trieste took over as the new owner, which will work in the northern Adriatic in the northern Adriatic, especially in the Cruise and container port of Trieste, as well as for shipyards from the Fincantieri group. Before the departure, the "Bülk" was converted into a Danish shipyard in Assens and received a striking orange -red painting.

technical details and historical importance

The "Bülk" is a port and sea tractor, which was put on Kiel by the Hamburg shipyard in 1986. It was finally completed in November 1987 and was used as an emergency tractor for the Baltic Sea coast by 2021. During its service, the "Bülk" supported numerous ships near Havaria, including a collision in August 1989. The technical equipment of the tractor is remarkable, with a machine output of 2,320 kW and a top speed of 13 knots. These technical parameters are essential for operational efficiency in difficult conditions, which underlines the operational capacity in the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic, such as Wikipedia

The trunk of the tractor is ice -reinforced, which is of crucial importance for its missions in cold waters. The "Bülk" has a load -bearing capacity of 195 tons and a maximum pile tensile force of 40 tons, which is of great importance for its tasks. The deployment story of the "Bülk" shows how important such ships are for maritime logistics and rescue operations.

outlook for the future

With the overseas trip, the "Bülk" will soon be out of the Italian flag, while it is currently still driving under the flag of St. Vincent. The Dutch company Redwise provides the crew for the crossing, which underlines international cooperation in shipping. The new tasks of the tractor in the Adriatic are persecuted by many in the industry, since its story hereby transfers into a new chapter.

Shipping remains an important topic in Germany, and publications such as that of German Society for Shipping and Naval history (DGSM) offer valuable insights into the maritime past and its development. It is important to appreciate the story of ships like the "Bülk", since they not only represent technical skills, but also the challenges and success of shipping.