New Damen tug for Croatian operator

Brodospas is a returning customer for Damen, which has previously delivered anchor-handling vessels and fast crew supply vessels to the Croatian vessel operator. Named Hrabri, the new tug will be used for ship-handling duties in the ports of Split and Ploče on the Dalmatian coast.

Hrabri was built at the Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, building up to 40 vessels a year for Damen. The delivery voyage was completed under the tug’s own keel.

The ASD Tug 2811 features a flush foredeck, optimised for multiple towing modes, and Damen’s standard specifications for the design indicate power is supplied by twin Caterpillar 3512C main engines developing 3,806bkW in total powering Kongsberg Maritime US 205 azimuth thrusters and delivering a bollard pull of 60 tonnes.

Brodospas was founded in 1947 with the task of clearing Croatian ports, shipyards and sailing routes of numerous navigational obstacles from the Second World War. It was later privatised due to changes in the country’s economic situation.

“Brodospas has been engaged in different marine-technical services on the sea for 77 years.” says chairman, Zeljko Samarzija. “We are delighted to have such an excellent, long-term business cooperation with Damen. She proved herself worthy of her name Hrabri – which means ‘courageous’ in Croatian – by sailing smoothly from Vietnam, over the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, through the Mediterranean to our Adriatic Sea to be delivered to us as proud owners, here in the Port of Split.”