Royal Netherland Navy takes delivery of hybrid tug trio

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Formal delivery of the tugs was marked by a ceremony at the Den Helder Naval Base

JULY 13, 2016 — The Royal Netherlands Navy has taken formal delivery of three Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid tugs in an official handover ceremony at the Den Helder Naval Base.

The tugs provide an increase in ship handling capacity, while their use of hybrid propulsion systems contributes to Dutch Ministry of Defense ambitions for sustainable operations by the Navy recently presented to the Dutch Government in a Defense Operational Energy Strategy on future emissions targets and dependence on diesel as a principle fuel.

The acquisition of the three Damen tugs is part of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s ongoing fleet renewal program.

The hybrid vessels, named Noordzee, Waddenzee and Zuiderzee, can sail under diesel-direct, diesel-electric or fully-electric power.

This will result in a significant increase in fuel efficiency and reduction of exhaust emissions.When sailing in fully-electric mode – possible for up to one hour at a speed of 4 knots – the vessels will have zero emissions.

When sailing under diesel power, the Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid can store any electrical energy that is not immediately used in its battery pack. This can subsequently be used to sustain vessel operating systems or for use in electric sailing mode.

The Damen ASD 2810 Hybrid packs a 60-tonne bollard pull: considerably more than the 22-tonne bollard pull of the Navy’s Linge-class of tug.The increase in bollard pull will support safe and efficient ship handling operations of the largest vessels of the Royal Netherlands Navy fleet.

With the tugs in active service, Damen Shipyards Den Helder will perform an ongoing maintenance program for all three vessels, a task is normally undertaken by the Navy itself. This is the first time that Damen has been called upon for ongoing maintenance works for the Dutch Navy for an extended period.

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