Carbon neutral eco tugs

The Port of Antwerp inaugurated three new RSD tugs on 19 April 2021. RSD stands for Reversed Stern Drive and means that the tug was designed according to the double-bow principle. This allows it to be used dynamically as a front and rear tug. The tug is more energy-efficient due to its specific design and is equipped with a nitrogen oxide filter to comply with IMO Tier III regulations.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, said: “Port of Antwerp aims to be a climate neutral port by 2050. In our role as operator we are investing in this energy transition. The purchase of these vessels is part of the renewal and greening of our fleet, in which we focus on sustainable and energy-efficient vessels.”

Damen-designed tugs

In September 2020, the Port of Antwerp purchased its first RSD tug from Multraship NV and this was followed by the purchase of two additional vessels. Al three are designed by Damen.

Port Alderman, Annick De Ridder, added: “In the near future, we will also experiment with tugs powered by renewable methanol and hydrogen.”

The Port of Antwerp manages a fleet of 32 vessels that are responsible for almost 85% of its total CO2 emissions. In order to minimise this impact, a multi-year project to renew, green and optimise the fleet is in place. In addition to purchasing new tugs, the port is using data to improve processes – collaborating with partners such as Optiport, which developed a tool to optimise the planning of towage tasks, and Cognauship, which will work on the fuel consumption of the port’s own tugs.