- ITS Awards 2022 focuses on establishing itself as a premier builder of electric tugs.
- Damen is set to construct five more RSD-E 2513 electric tugs.
- Plans to build an electric-hybrid tug for Boluda Towage.
Damen, after clinching awards for designing and building the groundbreaking Sparky at the International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Awards 2022, has expanded its focus to establish itself as a premier builder of electric tugs, reports Rivera.
Sparky’s Success
Sparky, the ITS Tug of the Year 2022, was crafted at the Damen Song Cam shipyard in Vietnam as a fully electric reverse stern drive (RSD) tug. Employing Toshiba lithium-ion batteries, it efficiently handles and docks ships at the Ports of Auckland, New Zealand, emitting zero emissions.
Technical Specifications
Built to Damen’s RSD-E 2513 design, Sparky incorporates two Caterpillar C32 backup generators, two Kongsberg US 255 azimuth L drives, an Echandia power management system, and Damen’s Triton remote monitoring module.
Damen’s Electric Tug Expansion Plans
Leveraging the success of Sparky, Damen is set to construct five more RSD-E 2513 electric tugs in 2024. Additionally, a new style of electric tug is in the design phase.
Delivery Timeline
Anticipating the next fully electric RSD-E 2513 tug to be delivered to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Q3 2024, Damen is focusing on commissioning and sea trials in Vietnam.
Hybrid Tug Development
In 2024 or 2025, Damen plans to build an electric-hybrid tug for Boluda Towage, with more of these eco-friendly tugs available for purchase for emissions-free towage from Q3 2024.
Future Innovations and Awards Anticipation
Damen hints at a new fully electric tug design in the pipeline, with upgraded electrical components promising higher power output in a more compact system.
Continuous Improvement
Damen expresses a commitment to monitoring the development of new batteries and exploring high-power charging capabilities for future advancements.
ITS Awards 2024
The winners of the ITS Awards 2024 will be unveiled during the gala dinner at the International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards, celebrating industry achievements in various categories such as ports and harbors, tug owners, innovations, safety, salvage, lifetime achievement, and tug of the year.
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Source: Riviera
