First of Three Hybrid Eco-Friendly Tugs Delivered to Dutch Navy

by Ship & Bunker News Team

The Royal Netherlands Navy took delivery of Noordzee, the first of three diesel-electric hybrid tugs, on Saturday.

Damen has announced that it delivered the first of a series of three newbuild ASD TUGs 2810 Hybrid to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) on Saturday, an eco-friendly diesel-electric hybrid tug, named Noordzee.

The tug, which measures nearly 29 metres in length, has two rudder propeller units "for optimum manoeuvrability," says Damen, noting that the vessel can sail on either full electric power via a set of batteries or on a diesel-electric generator set.

Both main diesel engines can be used to enable a maximum bollard pull of 60 tonnes, the company adds.

"The RNLN was explicitly looking for a standard tug which was very environmentally friendly, as well as being powerful enough to realise heavy operations," explained Damen in the announcement.

“ The RNLN was explicitly looking for a standard tug which was very environmentally friendly, as well as being powerful enough to realise heavy operations. Damen

The Noordzee is said to have been sailed by the RNLN from Damen Shipyards Galati, located in Romania, to the Dutch port of Den Helder.

Two sister ships, the Waddenzee and the Zuiderzee are said to be expected for delivery to RNLN in the middle of March and middle of June.

"The contract for the three ASD tugs emphasises the good cooperative partnership that exists between Damen and the RNLN, as well as their shared vision," said Damen, adding "both parties believe in a durable future and have chosen a sustainable option with the ASD TUG 2810 Hybrid."

The RNLN is also said to have ordered two Swedish tugs of a standard design, customised for operations in icy waters.

In September, Hull Vane B.V. (Hull Vane) announced that a study, conducted to determine effectiveness of the RNLN's use of its underwater hydrofoil-type wing, demonstrated fuel-savings of 12.5 percent.