The Port of Antwerp-Bruges will be equipped with six new tugs, one of which is an electric tug, a European first. This expansion is part of the port fleet renewal and greening, with a focus on sustainable and energy-efficient boats.
The order includes five diesel-powered RSD tugs that will replace existing tugs and one electric tug, the RSD-E, which the Belgian port describes as a “game-changer”. The electric version is expected in the fall of 2024, while the diesel-power tugs will follow shortly afterward in the spring of 2025.
Damen Shipyards is responsible for the delivery of these sustainable vessels.
With the RSD-E, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will become the first European port with a fully electric tug with 70 tons of pulling power in its fleet.
An impressive 1.5MW charging station will be installed at the operational headquarters NOC (Nautical Operational Cluster), allowing the 2,782 MWh batteries to be fully charged in just two hours, according to a port’s statement.
The tug is designed according to the double-bow principle and is equipped with a patented double Twin Fin skeg, which provides improved navigational properties. As a result, it can be dynamically used as both a forward and rear tug. Moreover, thanks to its specific design, the tug is more energy-efficient and is equipped with a nitrogen oxide filter. In September 2020, Port of Antwerp-Bruges acquired its first RSD tug, followed by two more.
In addition to using this technology, the Hydrotug and Methatug, the world’s first tugs powered by hydrogen and methanol respectively, will also make their debut soon. These projects are part of a comprehensive greening program for the fleet and underline the ambition to be a climate-neutral port by 2050.
“With six new tugs, including one electric, we are renewing and greening our own fleet. We highly value 100% deployability and energy efficiency. Besides the European premiere of an electric tug, there will soon be world premieres: the first tugs on hydrogen and methanol,” stated Annick De Ridder, vice-mayor of the City of Antwerp and president of the board of directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
