Damen presents the next generation in harbour towage

(Posted on 27/06/18)

With the presentation of the RSD Tug 2513, on the 25th June at the ITS 2018 in Marseille, France, Damen has introduced its next generation ship-handling tugs. Composed of a mix of new designs and a further evolution of existing designs, this next generation series is built on a solid foundation. New and proven technologies are combined and applied in a modular way, to achieve the best balance in flexibility with high value for money over the entire lifecycle.

The next generation range is led by the innovative RSD Tug 2513, a compact and powerful tug redefining compact agility in harbor towage. Fully focused on ship-handling, this vessel offers 70 t bollard pull in both push and pull mode in the safest possible way by its always bow first principle and patented Twin Fin skeg design. A safe, simple and efficient concept, ideal for terminal operations.

In answer to the needs for efficient ship-handling operations, with the possibility to perform occasional additional jobs such as salvage and coastal towing, Damen added a new series of compact multi-purpose vessels, the ASD Tug 2312 and ASD Tug 2813.

At 60 t and 80 t BP respectively, again both in push and pull mode, these vessels offer the ultimate mix of versatility and compactness by featuring smart layouts. The ASD Tug 2312 offers six person MLC compliant accommodation and aft deck area of 54 m2 and the ASD Tug 2813 10 person MLC compliant accommodation with an aft deck area of 82 m2. Sailing with extended crew is now combined with optimal towing positions forward and aft, a compact design for efficient and versatile operations.

To complete the next generation range, Damen redesigned the benchmark in harbour towage, the ASD Tug 2810 to become the new ASD Tug 2811 and upgraded the successful ASD Tug 3212, which was first introduced during ITS in 2012. These proven designs have been further optimised and made ready for the next decade, offering solid performance for harbor, coastal and exposed terminal operations, with 60 t and 80 t BP respectively, again both in push and pull mode.

All next generation vessels are laid out to comply with the new stability regulations, initiated as Harmonised Class rules and enforced by the IMO for adaptation in January 2020. Increasing the standards for stability requirements is a clear and necessary answer of the IMO and classification societies to the increasing power and compactness of modern ship-handling tugs to ensure maximum safety in operations.

Damen now also introduces a modular Marine NOx Reduction System, to enable compliance with IMO Tier III regulations. By preparing these next generation designs, Damen achieves flexibility for owners to comply with the newest emission regulations - which will be gradually extended over the world’s ports - directly from the start of building, during building or even as easy retrofit.

With the new Damen Digital Platform, Damen Tugs are fit for the future. This platform is built to deal with the everyday challenges in operations planning and maintenance and enable customers to increase efficiency of their operations for a sustainable future.

Damen product manager tugs Dirk Degroote says, “We have been working hard as a team on the development of this next generation. We knew it was important not to reinvent the wheel. Our vessels have proven themselves reliable and efficient over the years and still have much to offer. That being the case, the development of the next generation series has been about taking the best of our existing vessels and adding innovation to deliver a range of vessels fit for the future.”

Damen Shipyards Group operates 34 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 10,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.