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Damen Shipyards Group has received class and flag state approval for a tug design capable of operating on methanol, marking a step toward wider use of alternative fuels in harbour and coastal operations.
The approval, granted by Bureau Veritas and the Netherlands flag state, covers Damen’s ASD Tug 2713 Fuel Flexible (FF), a 27.25-metre tug designed for duties including ship handling, terminal support, firefighting and oil pollution response. The approval follows an approval in principle granted in 2023 for Damen’s methanol-powered compact vessel designs.
The move reflects growing interest in methanol as a lower-emissions marine fuel, particularly as operators assess future compliance requirements and fuel availability.
Damen said the tug will initially operate on diesel propulsion and can also use hydrotreated vegetable oil, while being prepared for later conversion to methanol or hybrid-electric propulsion. Vessels will be delivered with methanol tanks installed and space reserved for additional propulsion systems, allowing operators to retrofit equipment when commercially viable.
It also means that in the meantime, they sail around with empty space and added weight.
The company identified methanol as a potential fuel for tug operations because of its energy density and existing infrastructure, while noting that regulatory frameworks have largely been developed for larger ships such as chemical tankers. To gain approval for a compact tug, Damen worked with Bureau Veritas and Dutch authorities using a risk-based assessment process to address safety requirements for methanol systems.
“This is a very important step forward for our FF Tugs range,” said Pieter Spruijt, system owner for alternative fuels at Damen.
“Class and flag state approval for the ASD Tug 2713 FF demonstrates that the AiP we received in 2023 can be applied to different models in our portfolio.”
Herman Spilker, vice president North Europe at Bureau Veritas, said methanol-powered compact vessels could play a growing role as operators seek alternatives to conventional fuels.
“I foresee a fruitful future for compact vessels able to sail on methanol fuels, as operators continue to seek a way forward with alternative fuels,” he said.
Exhibitor; Damen Shipyards
Stands VB6 & VB25
