Damen Shipyards Group has delivered the first of a series of three ASD Tugs 2810 Hybrid to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).
The first standard hybrid tug, Noordzee, which is almost 29m-long, has been navigated by the RNLN into the Den Helder harbour.
The contract for the three ASD tugs emphasises the cooperative partnership that exists between Damen and the RNLN.
Currently, the RNLN has four conventional tugs in Den Helder, however, these older vessels do not have sufficient power to tug new ships such as the HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNLMS Rotterdam and the HNLMS Johan de Witt.
In addition, the old vessels still make use of normal propellers with rudders with restricted manoeuvrability, and no longer fit the vision of sustainability that the RNLN has for the future.
The ASD Tug 2810 Hybrid is one of Damen’s standard tugs, fitted with its hybrid propulsion system.
The vessel is equipped with two rudder propeller units for optimum manoeuvrability, and is able to sail on full electric power by means of a set of batteries, and also a diesel-electric on the generator set.
Both main diesel engines are used when full pull is required, giving a maximum bollard pull of 60t, ensuring that all heavy duty tug jobs can be carried out.
The RNLN, in cooperation with the Swedish Navy, has ordered five vessels, including the hybrid tugs, while the two additional Swedish tugs are also of a standard design, but are optimised for operations in icy waters.
As part of the order, the two other ships, the Waddenzee and the Zuiderzee, are scheduled to be delivered in mid-March and mid-June this year.
Image: ASD tug 2810 Hybrid Noordzee. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.
