Muller Dordrecht takes delivery of new tug from Damen

Dutch towage operator Muller Dordrecht has taken delivery of a new azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug from Damen Shipyards Group, adding to a growing fleet of vessels from the Dutch shipbuilder.

The vessel, named En Avant 19, is an ASD Tug 2811 and arrives as Muller Dordrecht works to renew its fleet with an emphasis on versatility and lower emissions. It joins two larger ASD Tugs 3212 — En Avant 25 and En Avant 26 — delivered by Damen in 2023 and 2024.

Built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam, En Avant 19 was shipped to Europe aboard a heavy-lift vessel, arriving at the Port of Rotterdam on 28 February.

Measuring 29 metres in length with a beam of 11 metres, the tug has up to 65 tonnes of bollard pull and unlike its larger sisters, which operate primarily offshore, En Avant 19 is designed to work both offshore and on inland waterways.

To meet tightening environmental standards, the vessel has been fitted with a NOx Reduction System using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, cutting nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% in line with IMO Tier III requirements. The system also reduces onboard noise levels.

Additional options specified by Muller Dordrecht include deck cranes and navigation-at-sea capabilities. Accommodation for up to eight crew members meets MLC 2006 standards and carries a COMF-3 notation, with features including air conditioning, acoustic ceilings in the wheelhouse and floating floors to minimise vibration.

Damen Shipyards Group, head-quartered in Gorinchem in the Netherlands, has operated for over 95 years and runs 35 shipyards across 20 countries, delivering around 100 vessels annually. Muller Dordrecht, based in Dordrecht, is one of the Netherlands’ established towage and salvage operators, with activities spanning ports, offshore terminals and inland waterways.