Noordzee A 871 ASD 2810 Hybrid
The first of a series of three ASD TUGs 2810 Hybrid was navigated into the Den Helder harbour by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) on Saturday, February 20th. This hybrid tug that bears the name Noordzee is almost 29 meters long and is the first standard hybrid tug supplied by Damen that the RNLN will employ.
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. Both parties believe in a durable future and have chosen a sustainable option with the ASD TUG 2810 Hybrid.
Power and sustainability
At this time, the RNLN has four conventional tugs in Den Helder at its disposal. However, these older vessels do not have sufficient power to tug new ships such as the HNLMS Karel Doorman, HNLMS Rotterdam and the HNLMS Johan de Witt. Furthermore, the old vessels still make use of normal propellers with rudders with a restricted manoeuvrability and no longer fit the vision of sustainability that the RNLN has for the future.
The state-of-the-art ASD TUG 2810 Hybrid is one of Damen’s standard tugs and, with its hybrid propulsion system, is powerful and durable. The vessel is provided with two rudder propeller units for optimum manoeuvrability and is able to sail on full electric power by means of a set of batteries and also diesel-electric on the generator set. When full pull is required, both main diesel engines are used, giving a maximum bollard pull of 60 tonnes, ensuring that all heavy duty tug jobs can be realised.
Hybrid as a standard
The RNLN was explicitly looking for a standard tug which was very environmentally friendly, as well as being powerful enough to realise heavy operations. The Navy contracted Damen for the project due to the fact that hybrids and sustainability are standard design concepts for Damen. In total, the RNLN, in cooperation with the Swedish Navy, has ordered five vessels, including the hybrid tugs. The two additional Swedish tugs are also of a standard design, but designed for operations in icy waters.
The Noordzee was sailed by the RNLN from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania to the port of Den Helder. The two other ships, the Waddenzee and the Zuiderzee will be delivered in mid-March and mid-June. Damen is proud to have the opportunity to cooperate with the RNLN, in a partnership which emphasises the vision of sustainability and the diversity of both parties.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8.000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5.000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers approx. 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and super yachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of Services, such as maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. To complete, Damen offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 15 repair & conversion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420×80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1, 500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
