Tug and Salvage Vessel News Roundup | June 8 – Dutch electric pushboat, future salvage vessels for Suez Canal and more

Deliveries include two harbour tugs to a UK operator and an electric inland pusher tug to a Dutch shipping company. A new compact tug design promises enhanced safety features and performance. Finally, a Norwegian company has been selected to design new salvage tugs to serve Egypt’s Suez Canal.

Kotug christens fully electric pusher tug

Netherlands-based Kotug International christened its newest inland pusher tug in a ceremony on Thursday, June 8.

Designed in-house by Kotug, E-Pusher 1 will be used to push barges transporting cocoa beans from the Port of Amsterdam to the cocoa factory operated by Cargill in Zaandam.

The fully electric vessel will run on energy supplied by the wind farm that Cargill and Vattenfall operate in partnership with Windpark Hanze. Kotug said the vessel’s operations will help reduce noise and emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx, and particulate matter.

Svitzer welcomes two new tugs to UK fleet

Danish towage company Svitzer recently welcomed two new ASD harbour tugs to its UK fleet.

Built by the Damen Shipyards Group, Svitzer Jubilee is fitted with IMO Tier III-compliant engines that permit operations in the North Sea. The other equipment includes a selective catalytic reduction system to reduce NOx emissions.

Svitzer Jubilee will be operated out of the Port of Tyne.

Also recently added to the Svitzer UK fleet is Svitzer Elizabeth, which was built by a Turkish shipyard to a design by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd.

The 32-metre tug can sail at a speed of 13 knots and may also be used for escort.

Svitzer Elizabeth will be homeported in Liverpool.

Dutch builder unveils new compact tug design

Netherlands-based the Damen Shipyards Group recently launched a new series of compact ASD tug.

Each tug in the series will feature a high freeboard to keep water on deck to an absolute minimum. It will also have ample tumblehome, enabling it to get safely up close to an assisted vessel.

A full vision bridge will provide a 360-degree view from the deckhouse over the surrounding waters as well as the deck both fore and aft. The decks will be clutter-free for added safety.

Damen will equip each tug with a new electric power generation system, which will be able to generate electricity by drawing on the ample available power of the main engines, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. A 2,400mm diameter propeller will offer increased thrust while Damen’s proprietary fin design will ensure outstanding course keeping and predictable sailing behaviour during both free sailing and bow-to-bow operations.

Norwegian firm to design new salvage tugs for Suez Canal Authority

Norwegian technology company Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to provide the design and equipment for two new salvage tugs being built by Egypt’s Alexandria Shipyard as main contractor on behalf of the Suez Canal Authority.

The tugs will be based on Kongsberg Maritime’s 71.6-metre-long design. Each will have a bollard pull of approximately 200 tonnes and a maximum endurance of 35 days.

The two vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026, respectively.