​First electric tug for European port delivered to Antwerp

Volta 1 will operate with the other five, built to a similar design, as part of the port’s ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Fleet renewal with increasingly efficient newbuilds and conversion of existing tonnage to run on clean, alternative fuels are at the heart of the plan.

Unlike similar large ports in the region, Antwerp operates its own fleet of shiphandling tugs alongside regular commercial towage service providers and with this investment in its own fleet has chosen the now well-established RSD Tug 2513 (Reversed Stern Drive) design from Damen Shipyards Group.

Electric efficiency

The mix of vessels in this order illustrates the modern trend of moulding a port’s towage provision, be it large or small, around the particular operating profile, including the availability of alternative fuels.

This particular series includes an RSD-E 2513 all-electric variant, which Damen says will be able to perform a minimum of two towage operations on a single charge with full recharging achievable in just two hours.

Damen has also provided the 1.5MW charger and onshore infrastructure at Antwerp’s Nautical Operational Cluster for the 70tbp tug, with the contract’s broader scope including “extensive support” covering delivery and start-up to maintenance management alongside the standard one year warranty.

The support includes a training package with simulator-based technical and onboard training, initiated well in advance to prepare the crews for the tugs’ arrival, the programme set to continue over the next five years.

The efficiency theme is not restricted to the all-electric, emissions-free example, however, the remaining five vessels meeting IMO Tier III standards with the Damen Marine NO_x Reduction Systems removing harmful emissions from exhaust gases.

Multiple delivery

Along with other examples of its portfolio, Damen’s Song Cam Shipyard is responsible for building a large number of the RSD 2513 variants, with the Vietnam-based facility producing all six vessels in this order.

Unlike in the past when shipyards close to the customer’s location were selected to produce new vessels, cost-efficient shipbuilding has become more global and innovative thinking is now required to get the product to the customer.

Ship delivery companies specialise in delivering vessels ‘under their own keel’, but an alternative method involves shipping them as deck cargo on heavylift vessels.

This can be popular when a batch of tugs, perhaps for different owners, is destined for the same region – and in this particular instance all six vessels for Port of Antwerp-Bruges were transported in one shipment.

Construction began in 2023 and following extensive commissioning and sea trials earlier in 2024, all six tugs were loaded onto the heavy-lift ship Jumbo Kinetic.

The journey of more than 10,000km included stopovers in Singapore and Las Palmas and arrived recently in Europe.

Upon arrival in North Sea Port’s Vlissingen harbour, Jumbo Kinetic was greeted by tugs from Port of Antwerp-Bruges and escorted along the Western Scheldt to their eventual new home base.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges says its tug fleet “accounts for nearly 85% of port-related CO₂ emissions”, so this area of operation will understandably be a target for its comprehensive greening programme for the port.

The new vessels, with an emphasis on sustainability, will join earlier projects including Hydrotug, the first hydrogen-powered tug, and its first methanol-powered tug Methatug, all underlining the port’s innovative approach.

“With this new generation of energy-efficient tugboats, we take a significant step forward in our transition to a climate-neutral fleet,” said Rob Smeets, chief operations officer of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to sustainable innovation. The Volta 1 is a ground-breaking addition to our fleet and a beacon for the entire maritime sector.”

For Damen, sales manager Benelux, Vincent Maes said: “On behalf of Damen, I would like to congratulate the Port of Antwerp-Bruges on the delivery of its new vessels – including Europe’s first fully electric tug. The pioneering steps towards increased sustainability they have taken are commendable and will, I am sure, serve as inspiration for other ports.

“I am looking forward to continuing to build on our relationship, as both Damen and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges continue to pursue solutions towards a sustainable maritime future.”