Europe’s first newbuild methanol tug

The two are now working together to identify the best potential harbour, work which will have repercussions for how ports approach their infrastructure planning for the coming increase in alternative fuels.

Arnout Damen, chief executive of Damen Shipyards Group, called the project a ‘new chapter in European towage’. “Not only is this project in keeping with our own values,” he said, “we also aim to give added momentum to the transition to sustainable harbour towage as the benefits that both electric and methanol-driven vessels deliver will be there for all to see.”

The proposed tug – the RSD-E Tug 2513 – will be a completely new Damen design and the company reports it expects a number to be available in 2024/25.

Boluda Towage reports it has been investing for years in cleaner and greener operations in ports. An important milestone in its ambition to work towards lower emissions has been a multiple order of IMO Tier III tugs in 2020.

Vicente Boluda Ceballos, vice chair of Boluda Towage, said the partnership was an important technological and innovative advancement.

“We know that we are in an increasingly complex environment that requires us to always be at the leading edge of solutions to increase safety in our operations, limit our environmental carbon footprint and meet the needs of our customers,” he said.