VESSEL REVIEW | Demi-K – Dutch operator selects pusher tug for inland and North Sea work

Dutch towing and pushing company Rodie Transport has added a new pusher tug that will be used to push convoys on inland waters and undertake towing operations at sea.

Demi-K has an LOA of 19.25 metres (63.16 feet), a beam of 9.08 metres (29.8 feet), a maximum draught of only 1.9 metres (6.2 feet), and a displacement of 140 tonnes. Rodie listed a maximum speed of 11 knots and a bunker capacity of 20 cubic metres (4.400 gallons).

Rodie’s René Bak said that the company had the hull built to an existing workboat design but adapted to the company’s requirements.

Modifications included enlarging the cooling boxes to increase cooling capacity and the routing out of the exhaust through the stern to reduce noise in the accommodation.

Capable of low-emission operation

Van Wijk supplied the column and winches; De Waal Machinefabriek provided the rudder, propeller shafts and steering gear; and Beerens was responsible for the stairway to the wheelhouse and the mast arrangement.

De Waal Metaaltechniek undertook steelwork in the wheelhouse and accommodation as well as the crane foundation and exhaust arrangement.

Propulsion is provided by two Green Power Engine GPC32 main engines, each rated at 866 hp (646 kW) and certified to EU Stage V. Each engine is a 32.1-litre, turbocharged and aftercooled four-stroke V12 with electronic governing.

The engines drive two fixed-pitch propellers in 1,600mm (63-inch) nozzles to deliver a bollard pull of 22 tonnes.

Each engine's exhaust aftertreatment system comprises a diesel oxidation catalyst, a mixing pipe with urea mixer, and a box containing a diesel particulate filter, selective catalytic reduction unit and ammonia slip catalyst.

The system includes temperature, NOx and back pressure sensors and is fitted for remote monitoring. Rodie also listed IMO Tier III compliance and has requested Green Award certification.

The vessel is classed by Bureau Veritas with the notation TUG ✠ HULL ● MACH ● AUT-UMS. It is cleared for coastal waters in GMDSS sea area A2 and for ES-TRIN zones 2, 3 and 4.

Marble Automation supplied a tank reading system as well as a monitoring system and an unmanned machinery space system with MS2006 UMS extensions. Piet Brouwer Elektrotechniek carried out the electrotechnical installation.

May also be deployed elsewhere in Europe

The wheelhouse is liftable, giving a maximum eye height of 11 metres (36 feet) for pushing and towing work. When the wheelhouse is lowered, the vessel can pass underneath bridges less than four metres (13 feet) high. This low air draught also allows the vessel to operate far into Germany.

The deck equipment consists of hydraulic coupling winches and a Palfinger crane rated at 32 tonne-metres. The navigation and communications fitout includes a Tresco system, a night-vision-equipped 360-degree camera, two marine radios, three VHF sets, an MF/HF set, and navtex

The crew have access to four berths, a galley, and a bathroom.

Demi-K has already been used on a tank transport from Oostwouder to the Botlek. Rodie plans to deploy the vessel in the fourth quarter of 2026 to tow five silos, positioned horizontally, from the northern Netherlands to King's Lynn, England. For 2027, plans call for silos to be towed from Oude Zeug to Pernis, with the route passing via IJmuiden and the North Sea.