Six new Damen tugs for Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The order comprises five conventionally powered RSD Tugs 2513 and an electric RSD-E version of the same marque. Part of Antwerp’s ambition is to be carbon neutral by 2050, with plans including ongoing fleet renewal for the port along with conversion of two tugs, one to operate on methanol and another on hydrogen.

While towage provision at Antwerp includes other commercial operators, the port, which is a limited liability company owned by City of Antwerp (80.2%) and City of Bruges (19.8%), operates its own tug fleet of around eight vessels. They have numbers rather than traditional names and the majority are locally built Voith Schneider-powered tractors around 20 years old.

The customer’s choice of the RSD Tug 2513 will be particularly satisfying for Damen. A few years ago the port started exploring the vessel, in time acquiring three of them including the second of the new design, Bis Viridis, which then went on to become Multratug 6 before joining the Antwerp fleet in 2020.

The three carry the ‘names’ 50, 51 and 52 and after a few years of operation, Port of Antwerp-Bruges clearly has confidence in this increasingly popular design, of which nearly 40 are now either in service, on order or under construction.

Of equal interest is the inclusion of an electric version of the RSD 2513. Damen says it will be “the first all-electric tug to operate in Europe” and follows the first-of-class Sparky, now operating for Ports of Auckland in New Zealand. Damen will also be delivering the charger and onshore electrical infrastructure, and as the shipbuilder adds: “… the towage industry will be watching it closely to see how its electric propulsion stands up to the high-pressure environment”.

This does not mean the five (non-electric) diesel-powered RSD Tug 2513s are environmentally ‘unfriendly’ in themselves. They will be IMO Tier III compliant thanks to the Damen Marine NO_x Reduction System, reduced noise levels and all-round capability listed as contributory factors to the order.

All six will have extensive firefighting capabilities and with building already under way, deliveries are scheduled for late 2024 and early 2025.