Damen delivers new-design ASD tug to Iskes

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Damen says integration of the tug’s single winch into the superstructure offers a number of benefits

Damen Shipyard Group has delivered a tug that it calls a “one winch wonder” to IJmuiden, Netherlands, headquartered Iskes Towage & Salvage. The tug, the Jupiter, will operate in the ports of IJmuiden and Amsterdam and, as well as carrying out regular port towage duties is also capable of handling (crane) barges.

Ordered in July 2018, the tug has been built to a new ASD Tug 312 design developed in cooperation with Iskes.

“Iskes gave us a lot of valuable input for the design of this new class of tug,” says Damen sales manager Joost van der Weiden. “We often work together with our customers when developing new vessels—it’s a good way for us to make sure that the boats we build fully meet their requirements.”

“We are very satisfied with the result,” says Iskes CEO Jim Iskes. “The ASD Tug 2312 is a compact vessel with a very high degree of maneuverability, required for operating in the ports of Amsterdam and IJmuiden. And notwithstanding her compact design, the vessel, with 60 tonnes bollard pull, has ample power to perform every job at hand, to all sizes of vessels calling at the port.”

ONE WINCH

A notable innovation in the ASD Tug 2312 design is the integration of the winch into the superstructure, offering a number of benefits. As well as offering a spacious, safe and clutter-free deck, the central positioning means the vessel can, with just one winch, tow both fore and aft. With only one winch required, the vessel is more compact and the sheltered location provides protection from the elements and minimizes maintenance requirements.

The ASD Tug 2312 features Damen Safety Glass; shatter-proof glazing that offers protection in the event of a towing line snapping. Beneath the waterline, its Damen Twin Fin significantly improves directional stability in both sailing directions, making the vessel very predictable when sailing aft, but also when ahead of a ship.

The tug is IMO Tier III ready, including all mandatory certification. All that is required for the ASD Tug 2312 to comply with the forthcoming regulations will be the easy and fast retrofit of a Damen SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system.

COVID-19 COMPLICATES DELIVERY

Damen built Jupiter at its Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Although the vessel was intended to sail on her own keel to the Netherlands, coronavirus-related travel restrictions made this difficult. The alternative was transporting the tug on a heavy lift ship. However, internal travel restrictions in Vietnam meant that the vessel could not be transported to Ha Long Bay to meet the heavy lift vessel.

“The well-being of all the people involved was our first priority at all times,” says Joost. “To ensure safety and minimize the chance of the spread of disease, we arranged for the heavy lift vessel to collect the vessel not at Ha Long Bay as is typical, but closer to the yard at Hai Phong. The events of these past few months have required us to be adaptable, but, working together with our customers and our suppliers we have usually found ways to remain safely open for business.”

Original plan was for tug to be delivered on its own keel, but COVID-19 related restrictions meant delivery was made by heavy lift ship
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