Damen Shipyards Group (Damen) has reached what it has called a major milestone in its efforts to build a first fully electric tug boat by installing 2,240 batteries into the RSD-E-Tug 2313, due to be delivered to the Ports of Auckland.
The batteries have a combined power of 2,784 kWh and will enable the vessel to carry out two or more berthing and unberthing operations with up to 70 tonnes bollard pull on a single charge. Following operations, it will take just two hours for the vessel to recharge to full capacity.
For redundancy purposes, the batteries are arranged in strings. If one battery in a string were to fail, the others would simply carry on the work.
Ports of Auckland placed the order with Damen in August, 2019. The hub’s intention is to be fully zero emissions by 2040. To achieve this, they needed a zero emissions tug.
The shipbuilder is also constructing fully electric ferries for Ontario, Canada; a Road Ferry 6819 E3 & Road Ferry 9819 E3, as well as six hybrid Road Ferries 8117 E3 for BC Ferries, British Columbia, Canada.
The hybrid vessels are being prepared for future conversion to full electric. Additionally, Damen is constructing nine waterbuses for Blue Amigo to operate in the Netherlands.
Three of the vessels will be fully electric, while the remaining hybrid waterbuses will be prepared for future conversion to full electric. Damen has delivered electric vessels with a total of 20 mW of battery power to date.
The E3 certification is Damen’s in-house developed sustainability accreditation for its vessels. It stands for environmentally friendly, efficient in operation and economically viable.
Damen’s strategy is to further develop its existing ship types into electric versions, drawing on proven solutions and combining them with innovation for increased efficiency and sustainability. In addition to the RSD Tug 2513, Damen is also able to electrify its ASD Tug 2813.
