Damen unveils new compact ASD tug

Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled the latest vessel in its Compact Tugs product platform. The ASD Tug 2111 joins the ASD Tug 2312 in the innovative range, combining proven technology with innovation to advance safety, sustainability, reliability, and efficiency, Damen officials said.

Siebe Cieraad, Damen product portfolio manager explained the thinking behind this series of tugs.

“As sea-going ships continue to increase in size, new challenges are arising in ports,” he said. “Tugs are required to operate – safely – with less space, at the same time needing increased power to perform. This 21 meter (68.8') harbor tug with 50 ton bollard pull is therefore a very exciting addition to our portfolio.”

The ASD Tug 2111, in common with other vessels in Damen's portfolio, features numerous safety features. For example, it boasts a high freeboard, which keeps water on deck to an absolute minimum. It also features ample tumblehome, enabling it to get safely up close to an assisted vessel. A further feature is the tug's full vision bridge. This provides a 360° view from the deckhouse over the surrounding waters as well as the deck both fore and aft.

Making the ASD Tug 2111 even safer, are its spacious, clutter-free decks. A crucial factor in this is the location of the winch in the deckhouse. With this, fore and aft towing operations are conducted with a single winch. As well as making the decks clutter-free, this has the added advantage of sheltering the winch from the elements, thereby reducing maintenance.

Low maintenance is in the ASD Tug 2111’s DNA, company officials said. The design features the shipbuilder's proven closed loop keel cooling system. Reducing the amount of onboard sea water systems to an absolute minimum, lowers the amount of erosion-related maintenance.

Damen has incorporated a new electric power generation system to its Compact Tugs range. The system is able to create electricity by drawing on the ample available power of the main engines, reducing fuel consumption and emissions as a result.

A further boost to efficiency comes from the tug’s 2.4 meter diameter propeller, the large size of which offers increased thrust. The ASD Tug 2111 also features the patented Damen Twin Fin to ensure better course keeping and predictable sailing behavior during both free sailing and bow to bow operations.

The vessel is provided with all necessary equipment to be remotely connected via the Damen triton system and is technically suitable for two man operation.

Fitted with IMO Tier II compliant engines, the tug can achieve IMO Tier III certification thanks to the optional fitted Damen Emission Reduction System. The in house designed exhaust gas aftertreatment system reduces the nitrogen oxides (NOX) from the vessel’s emission before they reach the atmosphere. This system can be fitted in the existing exhaust silencers. Making it also an easy retro fit in the vessel at a later stage in the life time of the vessel.

Additionally, Damen is working on full electric versions of its compact ASD tugs. These vessels will follow in the footsteps of the successful RSD-E Tug 2513, Damen's first fully electric zero emissions tug.