Tug builders opt for a methanol future

Damen Shipyards and Boluda Towage have formed a partnership to work on launch a methanol-powered tug in what they say is a mission to bring zero-emissions tugs to Europe.

The announcement comes barely a month after Svitzer announced it was doing a similar thing with Caterpillar Marine (see page 60). 

The first vessel, designed from scratch, will be a Damen RSD-E Tug 2513, and will be the first newbuild methanol tug in Europe, the firms say.

“Damen is currently developing the methanol-powered tug as part of its mission to be the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder,” said CEO Arnout Damen. “This completely new design is based on Damen’s experience and knowledge thanks to its extensive R&D capability in alternative sustainable propulsion systems.”

“Boluda Towage has been investing for years in order to achieve cleaner and greener operations in the port,” said Vicente Boluda Ceballos, vice chairman of Boluda Towage. “An important milestone in its ambition to work towards lower emissions has been a multiple order of IMO TIER III tugs in 2020. These pioneering vessels set a new standard for all its subsequent newbuilds.

“We know that we are in an increasingly complex environment that requires us to always be at the leading edge of solutions to increase safety in our operations, limit our environmental carbon footprint and meet the needs of our customers. With that purpose in mind, we are eager to continue our journey towards the future as a leader in the towage and maritime industry.”

Calling the partnership ’a new chapter in European towage’, Damen said the firm was already building RSD-E Tugs 2513 for stock, and that some would be available from 2024.