Damen Delivers First of New Tug Class
Damen Shipyards Group has delivered the first vessel in its new ASD Tug 2913 class.
According to Damen, the 2913 has been developed in response to demand from operators for more powerful tugs capable of handling today’s larger vessels. As well as having a bollard pull of 80 metric tons and total power of 5,050 BKw, the new tug is 29 meters in length and highly maneuverable, making it suited for operations in busy harbors where space is limited.
The ASD 2913 has accommodation for 10 personnel across six cabins and with a beam of 13 meters is very stable. It also has push/pull capabilities and can be fitted with an aft winch as an option. It is the first Damen tug to be built with a double hull.
The launch customer for the new model is German towage specialist Petersen & Alpers, and she will join an existing Damen ASD Tug 2411, which the company has been operating for the last four years out of Hamburg. Named the Michel, the new ASD 2913 will also work in and around Hamburg.
“We are very happy to be working once again with Damen,” said Peter Lindenau, Managing Director of Petersen & Alpers. “We had built up trust on our last project, and the whole package worked well for us. It is not just price but also performance, service and maintenance.”
The contract was signed in February 2013 and, as the launch customer with over 200 years’ experience in shipping, Petersen & Alpers contributed a good deal of valuable input into the design by, for example specifying details such as an oil fired heating system. Over the next two years a great deal of effort went into designing, engineering and building a tug that would deliver to its owner’s expectations and beyond.
Before the first of the ASD Tug 2913 was even launched, Damen said it has received interest in the vessel and its capabilities, and work is already underway building more for delivery at short notice.