Tug destined for civils projects christened

The arrival of ASD Tug 3212 Multratug 36 coincides with the Terneuzen, Netherlands-based company’s 40^th anniversary.

The vessel is the latest delivery of a three-vessel order with Dutch shipbuilder Damen, and is intended to meet Multraship’s commitments to two major civil engineering projects in Belgium and Denmark.

Work commitments

Along with the previously delivered Multratug 35 (another ASD Tug 3212), this latest member of Multraship’s fleet will support the Princess Elisabeth Island project, destined to be the world’s first artificial energy island 24nm off the Belgian coast. It is intended to “play a crucial role in Belgium’s energy transition”.

Commenting on this project, Multraship’s managing director Leendert Muller says the company will be responsible for towing and assembling the caissons from Flushing to the island, each caisson measuring 57m in length, 30m wide and 30m in height, and serving as the foundation for the island’s structure.

“This project requires significant towing capacity, and the Multratug 35 and Multratug 36 have been designated for the task,” Muller says.

The second “significant project” Multraship is providing fleet additions for is its marine support services commitment to the Fehmarnbelt Project, Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and at 18.2km long the world’s longest immersed tunnel, which is due to open in 2029 connecting Denmark and Germany.

Commenting on both projects Muller states: “We are immensely proud to be part of these significant marine infrastructure projects, both of which will not only promote sustainability and the energy transition but also drive the advancement of innovative infrastructure in Europe.”

Proven design

In the ASD Tug 3212 Multraship has chosen a well-established member of Damen’s ASD tug range for this trio of orders. Dating back to the first delivery in 2012, the design has more recently been upgraded as part of Damen’s ‘next generation’ range of tugs intended to meet he changing pattern of client’s requirements and ever-evolving demands for emission and efficiency improvements.

Described as intended for deep-sea and coastal towage, salvage and other operations, the 32m long Multratug 36 is built to standard specifications at Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. As with other designs in the catalogue, it offers options to meet individual customer requirements.

The vessel is “substantially upgraded to Multraship’s high standards and requirements with a series of options” and complying with IMO Tier III requirements from the installation of Damen’s in-house-developed Marine NO_x Reduction System.

The builder says the modular selective catalytic reduction system reduces NO_x emissions by 80% compared with IMO Tier III requirements, other design options taken up by Multraship including a fifi1 fire-fighting system and upgrading of the vessel for anchor-handling and other related offshore operations. Crew accommodation spaces have also been enhanced with additional insulation.

Multraship’s specification sheet for Multratug 36 indicates power derived from twin Caterpillar 3516C main engines developing 5,050kW (6,862hp) in total powering Kongsberg Maritime US255-S-FP/3930 azimuth thrusters.

Performance figures include maximum bollard pull 89.5 tons and vessel speed 13.7kn. A forward towing winch comes as standard and the option for a similar winch aft has been taken up, given the anchor-handling requirements.

Accommodation is provided for ten persons in two single and four twin berth cabins.

“We are confident that Multratug 36 will positively add to the Multraship fleet, contributing to the company’s towage and dedicated project operations,” said Damen sales director Benelux Mijndert Wiesenekker.

“We know we can rely on Damen to meet our specifications and deliver high-spec vessels, and we are very pleased to welcome Multratug 36 to our fleet formally,” said Muller.

Jacqueline Pey, spouse of Chris Pey, Multraship’s senior commercial manager, named the tug and wished the vessel and its crew “fair winds and following seas” in the ceremony.

Also present were members of the Muller family, who have four generations of experience in the family run business that is jointly owned by the Muller family and Hamburg-based Fairplay Towage.