About Us
company profile / short history
Borinken Marine Group (hereafter BMG), is comprised by the following affiliates: Borinken Towing and Salvage, LLC (hereafter BTS), Red Cape Marine, LLC (hereafter RCM), and Borinken Marine Group, LLC (hereafter BMGC). BMG is considered by the Caribbean Towing and Transportation Maritime Community as one of the most respected tugboat and barge operators of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Basin. This is due mainly to their qualifications and expertise operating a wide range of vessels and the professional attitude displayed by their crewmembers on each, and every job they perform. Last, but not least, BMG is well known for their tug and barge excellent operating record and the quality of their personalized services. The company has been operating for over 12 years, growing at a steady pace.
BMG is part of the International Marine Transportation Industry and their services include; charter of tug boats, harbor assistance service, bulk petroleum transportation, bulk dry cargo transportation, mooring/docking master services, and salvage support and rescue towing services that require the use of various types of tug boats and barges. The tug horsepower and dimensions and the barge type, tonnage and dimensions can fluctuate as a result of each “particular job” requirements, including the limitations of the port were the job will be performed.
BTS and RCM were organized under the laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands, meanwhile BMG was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. They began operations in November 2008, February 2011, and October 2015, respectively. BMG was founded by Mr. Ruben Iglesias and Mr. Carlos Acosta. Mr. Iglesias and Mr. Acosta both graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and obtained their degrees in Marine Operations. Both possess 2nd Mate Unlimited License and a Master License for up to 1,600 gross tons issued by the United States Coast Guard. During the past twelve (12) years, BMG has successfully provided the best tailored solutions to their customer’s marine transportation problems. The company’s hands-on approach philosophy to solve day to day problems helps customers achieve their goals in a cost effective and efficient manner.
As a result of the Company’s work ethic, management experience, response time, planning capabilities and professionalism, BMG has secured numerous contracts in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Basin.
main customer base
The following is a short list of our main customers.
- Vitol Virgin Islands Corp.
- Trafigura Trading Llc.
- Puma Energy
- Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority (Vi Wapa)
- Cashman Equipment Corp.
- Ranger Offshore Inc.
- Crowley Maritime Corp.
- Signet Maritime Corp.
- Tropical Shipping
- C&c Port Services (Usvi)
- Stt Cargo (Usvi)
- Inchcape
- Glencore
- Somara, Sas
- Cemex
- Argos
- Trinidad Cement Ltd.
- Titan Marine Llc.
- Resolve Marine Group
- Donjon-smit Salvage
- T&t Salvage Llc.
- Clarkson Marine Brokers (Uk)
- Marint Offshore Services Ltd.
- Samuel Stuart (Uk)
- Paragon Offshore
- Vane Brothers (Usa)
- Khoury Blocks (Dr)
- Carmelo Group (Pr)
- Harbor Bunkering Corp. (Pr)
fleet of tug and barges
Tug Storm
Tug Storm is an ocean-going tug boat built in 2005. It has a Bureau of Veritas (BV) Classification Certificate. The BV Classification Certificate confirms to the Customer and the maritime world that the vessel complies with the regulatory requirements of International Regulations and the Flag State.
Tug Storm is flagged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and its home port is Kingstown, SVG. The overall length of the vessel is 98.73ft. The main propulsion consists of two (2) Cummings engines that produce 1,200 BHP @ 1,800 RPM (each). The tug can run free (without a tow) at a speed of 10 knots and its bollard pull capacity is approximately 30 tons.
Deck machinery and equipment consist of an electro• hydraulic tow winch, an anchor windlass and a stern capstain. Communications and navigations equipment consists of: an automatic identification system (AIS), two (2) radars, a radar transponder, an IC – M710 SSB radio, one (1) GPS unit, one (1) Furuno Nav-Net Plotter, automatic pilot, a satellite compass and a fathometer. The vessel has accommodation for ten (10) crewmembers.
Tug Sentry
Tug Sentry is an ocean-going tween screw tug boat built in 2008 in Malasya. It has a Bureau Veritas (BV) Classification Certificate, which confirms that the tugboat is constructed and maintained within the approved international standards for an ocean-going vessel of its class and dimensions working in the international market. A current “Bureau Veritas Classification Certificate” also provides peace of mind to customers, financial entities and insurance underwriters, because to maintain a valid “Classification Certificate” the vessel has to be inspected regularly by the Class Surveyors and any known deficiencies have to be corrected in a timely basis.
The tug Sentry flag state is St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and its home port is Kingstownston, SVG. The overall length of the vessel is 97 ft. and its main propulsion consists of two (2) Cummings engines that produce 1,600 HP (each). The tug free running speed (no tow) is 12 knots and it has a bollard pull of approximately 35 tons.
Deck machinery and equipment consists of: an electro-hydraulic 40 ton tow winch and anchor windlass, and articulated 2 ton SWL hydraulic crane. Communications and navigations equipment consists of: an automatic identification system (AIS), two (2) radars, two (2) radar transponders, an IC-M710 SSB radio, one (1) GPS, a Furuno Nav-Net Plotter and IIMAX searchlight, automatic pilot, Sat-Com, a satellite compass and a fathometer.
Tug Don Raul
Tug Don Raul is a multipurpose ocean-going tug boat built in 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was built to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Standards. The tug Don Raul is a USA Flag tugboat.
The overall length of the vessel is 74 ft. and its main propulsion system consists of two (2) Cummings engines that produce 1,400 HP (each). The tug Bollard Pull is approximately 36 tons. The tug was constructed specifically for the shipwork service. It is very powerful and maneuverable.
Deck machinery and equipment consist of: a hydraulic tow winch with 2,000ft. wire and line pull of 70,000lbs., a hydraulic bow winch with double brake system designed for shipwork, and a vertical capstain on the stern. Communications and navigations equipment consists of: an automatic identification system (AIS), two (2) radars, one (1) GPS, one (1) Furuno Nav- Net Plotter, one IC-M710 SSB Radio, two (2) VHF COM radios, a magnetic compass, automatic pilot, a satellite compass and a fathometer. The vessel has accommodation for six (6) crewmembers.
Tug Grapetree Bay
Tug Grapetree Bay is an oceangoing tug boat built in 1968. The tug was built in New Orleans, LA. andit was built to “American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Standards” The vessel is currently flagged in Panama and has a “Panama Classification Certificate”.
The tug is old, but it is very versatile and very maneuverable. It falls under the “utility tug” category and it can perform ocean towing jobs and shipwork jobs. The Grapetree Bay is the hardest working tug in our fleet and it is in very good condition.
The tug is based in St. Thomas and is assigned to the shipwork business line. The overall length of the vessel is 95 ft. and its main propulsion consists of two (2) Caterpillar engines that produce 850 HP (each). The tug free running speed is 10 kts and its Bollard Pull is approximately 20 tons.
Deck machinery and equipment consist of: One (1) Stern Capstain and a 1400 ft 9″ nylon towing hawser. Communications and navigations equipment consists of: an automatic identification system (AIS), two (2) radars, one (1) GPS, one (1) Furuno Nav-Net Plotter, one IC- M700 SSB radio, automatic pilot and a satellite compass. The vessel has accommodation for eight (8) crewmembers.
Tug Punta Borinquen
Tug Punta Borinquen is a multipurpose ocean-going tug boat built in1966. It was built in New Orleans, LA. The tug has an “American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Certificate” that confirms that the tugboat is constructed and maintained within the approved international standards for an ocean-going vessel of its class and dimensions working in the international market.
A current “ ABS Classification Certificate” provides peace of mind to customers, financial entities and insurance underwriters, because to maintain a valid “Classification Certificate” the vessel has to be inspected regularly by the Class Surveyors and any known deficiencies have to be corrected in a timely basis.
Tug Punta Borinquen is a USA Flag vessel, and its home port is San Juan, PR. The overall length of the vessel is 95 ft. and its main propulsion consists of two (2) Caterpillar engines that produce 850 HP (each). It has a Bollard Pull of approximately 20 tons. The tugboat free running speed (no tow) is estimated at 10 kts.
Deck machinery and equipment consist of: a Markey single drum tow winch with 1,500ft. of 2″ wire. Communications and navigations equipment consists of: an automatic identification system (AIS), two (2) radars, one (1) GPS, one (1) Furuno Nav-Net Plotter, one IC-M700 SSB radio, automatic pilot, a fathometer and two (2) VHR radios. The vessel has accommodation for seven (7) crewmembers.
The tug is currently assigned to tow the oil tank barge Defiant in the Trafigura Contract.
Barge Caribbean Pride
Barge Caribbean Pride is an ocean-going deck barge built in 2008 in China. It has a “Bureau Veritas (BV) Classification Certificate”, which confirms that the barge is constructed and maintained within the approved international standards for an ocean-going vessel of its class and dimensions working in the international market.
A current BV Classification Certificate also provides peace of mind to customers, financial entities and insurance underwriters because to maintain a valid “Classification Certificate” the vessel has to be inspected regularly by the Class Surveyors and any known deficiencies have be corrected in a timely manner.
Barge Caribbean Pride is flagged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The barge home port is Kingstown, SVG. The overall length of the vessel is 270 ft. and i t has a DWT capacity of 5,000 metric tons.
The deck equipment consists of: a hydraulic anchor winch with 750 ft. of 2″ chain and a 2,000 lbs. Danforth anchor in the bow, a 90 ton SWL hydraulic stern ramp that measures 40’x18′. The perimeter bin-wall (cargo space) measures 226’x61’x8′. The barge also features 2 ea. 10 ton mooring winches on the stern.
The barge Caribbean Pride went thru its 2nd Special Survey and dry-dock period in July-Aug 2018 and it is in excellent condition.