The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has purchased six new tugs as part of the fleet’s renewal and greening, with an emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient vessels.
Five diesel-powered RSD tugs will be purchased to replace existing tugs. The electric version, the RSD-E, is planned in the autumn of 2024.
Diesel versions will be available soon after, in the spring of 2025. Damen Shipyards, a prominent shipbuilder, is in charge of delivering these environmentally friendly warships.
With the RSD-E, Port of Antwerp-Bruges reportedly becomes the first European port with a fully electric tug with 70 tonnes of pulling power in its fleet.
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A 1.5 megawatts (MW) charging station will be installed at the operational headquarters NOC (Nautical Operational Cluster), allowing the 2,782 megawatts per-hour batteries to be fully charged in just two hours.
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.
Annick De Ridder, Vice-Mayor of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “With six new tugs, including one electric, we are renewing and greening our own fleet.
“We highly value 100 per cent deploy ability and energy efficiency. Besides the European premiere of an electric tug, there will soon be world premieres: the first tugs on hydrogen and methanol.”
