The first fully electric tug to operate in a European port has been delivered to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, paving the way to zero emission operations.
The port is pursuing a number of sustainable initiatives towards its goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, fleet renewal being one of them. As well as the fully electric RSD-E Tug 2513, Damen Shipyards Group six vessel delivery to the port included five RSD Tugs 2513 all with onboard Damen Marine NOX Reduction Systems that remove harmful emissions from exhaust gases, ensuring IMO Tier III compliance.
In its role of total maritime solutions provider, Damen also delivered and commissioned the electric tug’s 1.5-megawatt charger and onshore electric infrastructure. The tug is able to perform a minimum of two towage operations on a single charge and can be fully recharged in just two hours.
"We are thrilled to welcome the six state-of-the-art tugs, including an electric model, into our fleet. With each new addition, we move closer to achieving our emission targets towards a greener future,” says Rob Smeets, Chief Operational Officer of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The six tugs formed part of a shipment of vessels from Damen’s yard in Vietnam, transported aboard the Jumbo Kinetic. Upon arrival in North Sea Port’s Vlissingen harbour, the heavy lift vessel was greeted by tugs from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and escorted along the Western Scheldt River on its final approach to the port itself.
As reported in April of this year, the port currently operates a hydrogen-powered tug and was soon to begin operations with a retrofitted methanol tug.
