Damen signs tug deal with Lithuanian Navy

Tug owners and operators are regular visitors to Damen, ordering its series-built tugs for standard commercial operations, be they shiphandling, coastal or deep-sea towing.

This contract, ordered under Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, is a typical example of where tugs from the same basic series are ordered by navies for similar roles.

Damen is no stranger to delivering vessels for military customers, the shipbuilder having a busy defence and security division, including production of combat ships and frigates.

While tugs destined for duties in a country’s navy have similar roles to their commercial counterparts, they can vary in many ways at a more detailed level. Other than the obvious difference of operating in a non-commercial environment, the clients will have similarities in managing potential budget constraints and here Damen’s standard series of tugs have efficiencies in mind backed up by extensive after-sales support provision.

Multi-role

Political tensions in the region are focusing the minds of countries including Lithuania on their military capabilities but the news provided by Damen describes a vessel capable of normal fleet support roles with Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas stating: “By acquiring this harbour tug, Lithuania strengthens its position as a maritime nation and provides the necessary operational capabilities to the Navy.”

Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Rear Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas says the “harbour tug” will add significantly to the navy’s ability to perform various tasks, including host nation support for visiting allied ships and reinforcement movement through the Port of Klaipėda, ensuring port security and supporting the execution of tasks by the naval fleet and other units in the navy.

“Previous acquisition projects involved obtaining and modernising vessels from NATO countries to suit the needs of the Lithuanian Navy,” he says.

Damen sales manager Justin Rietveld says the company takes “great pride” in serving the needs of its naval partners around the world, adding that the ASD Tug 3010 is a “well-proven design” very capable of serving the needs of the Lithuanian Navy both in terms of tug capabilities and performance in ice conditions. Sweden, another Baltic state, operates a pair of ASD Tug 3010 ICE tugs.

Rietveld adds that the large open working deck will allow the vessel to carry out a wide range of activities such as fire fighting, towing targets, assisting in pollution control and other operations as specified in the technical requirement.

“This project holds significant importance for us, and it will mark the commencement of a long and prosperous partnership together,” he says. “We all look forward to a successful project and delivery of the vessel to the Lithuanian Navy in the first half of next year.”

Further specific details of the vessel are yet to be announced but this new addition will doubtless be modified for its naval role.

Damen’s specification sheet for the standard variant describes a vessel of 29.84m LOA with a beam overall of 10.43m and draught aft 4.9m.

A twin main engine/thruster arrangement produces performance figures of 3,840bkW/5,150bhp total power, delivering a bollard pull ahead of 60t and 55t astern with a speed of 13kn.

An anchor-towing winch forward and Mampaey towing hook aft along with a deck crane are listed as standard with options for an aft towing winch and workboat/rescue boat. Accommodation for eight persons in five cabins is provided.

Damen has more than 20 ASD Tug 3010 ICE examples listed as delivered, including for Russian interests, with a number also allocated yard numbers at its Changde and Song Cam shipyards.