World’s first electric tug launches

The Damen RSD-E Tug 2513, nicknamed Sparky, has a 70 tonnes bollard pull and was commissioned by New Zealand’s Ports of Auckland, which aims to be a zero emissions organisation by 2040.

With the port already operating a Damen ASD Tug 2411, Damen was able to assess the potential for a fully electric tug, an idea that proved not only to be possible, but economically viable.

“Since receiving the order for this historic vessel, we have been working towards this moment – the introduction of the first fully-electric tug of this capability to the water,” said Sjoerd de Bruin, Damen sales manager Asia Pacific. “We are looking forward to continuing in our task and completing the vessel in the coming months.”

The next stage of construction will see Damen install the vessel’s hardware with the tug scheduled for delivery to Ports of Auckland at the end of 2021.

Recently Damen has delivered a number of fully electric platforms, including its first fully electric Cutter Suction Dredger, electric and hybrid ferries to Denmark and Canada and a contract for nine hybrid and fully electric ferries to operate in the area of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.