en.Wedoany.com Reported - Damen Shipyards Group officially launched the RSD-E Tug 2513 hybrid electric tug for the European market on April 12, 2026. This vessel model is positioned to address tightening port emission regulations and the need for improved operational efficiency. According to the official release from Damen Shipyards Group, this tug can complete up to three towing operations on a single charge. Its hybrid configuration can reduce emissions and fuel consumption during low-load and idle periods, complying with the environmental regulations of major European ports.
The RSD-E Tug 2513 achieves a bollard pull of 70 tons, matching the performance of traditional diesel-powered tugs of the same class. According to data from industry record-keeping bodies, the sister vessel, the Bu Tinah, achieved an average peak pull of 78.2 tons during trials at Khalifa Port in the UAE, earning it a Guinness World Record certification as the "most powerful electric tug." Maintaining these performance metrics ensures the vessel does not sacrifice power or reliability during complex berthing operations, eliminating operator concerns that new propulsion systems might affect operational capability.
This vessel model supports charging via its onboard generator set, eliminating reliance on shore power infrastructure. This design lowers the barrier for ports that have not yet invested in charging facilities to introduce hybrid tugs. Previously, the first fully electric tug developed by Damen Shipyards Group, the RSD-E Tug 2513, was delivered to the Port of Auckland, New Zealand in 2022 and named Sparky. That vessel is equipped with a 2,800 kWh battery pack and can be fully charged in two hours using a 1.5 MW shore power charger.
Damen Shipyards Group offers this vessel model to the market through lease and lease-to-purchase arrangements, reducing upfront capital risk for operators. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has ordered six Damen tugs for fleet renewal, including five diesel-powered RSD Tug 2513 vessels equipped with Damen's NOx reduction system and one RSD-E Tug 2513 electric tug, with supporting chargers and shore power infrastructure to be deployed simultaneously.
The design of the Damen RSD-E Tug 2513 is based on the proven RSD Tug 2513 diesel-powered platform. This platform features a bidirectional propulsion design, allowing both the bow and stern to serve as the operational end. Its twin-fin structure provides maneuverability and course stability within a limited length-to-beam ratio. The electric version retains the original platform's compact hull dimensions and maneuvering characteristics, ensuring compatibility with existing port infrastructure.
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