Svitzer Returns to Damen for Large Vessel Towing and Escort Tugs

Rendering of the Damen ASD 3212 tugs. Photo: Damen Shipyards Group

Leading international towage company Svitzer has returned to Damen Shipyards for two more 80 ton ton bollard pull tugs for large vessel escort and towing operations on the River Thames and in Felixstowe.

The two Damen ASD 3212 tugs are built for smooth maneuverability with controllable pitch propellers and special Render Recovery winches.

The 32 meter ASD tugs – designed for push-pull, escorting, towing and fire-fighting operations – feature a 12.2 meter beam and speed of 14 knots. For propulsion, they are equipped with two Caterpillar 3516C HD TA/D engines with a total power of 5,050 bkW at 1,800 rpm.

Svitzer, part of the Maersk Group, specializes in escorting some of the world’s largest ships, such as tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers and container ships.

“Being able to change pitch and power during operation allows smooth and superior maneuverability of these big vessels,” says Damen Sales Manager Martijn Smit.

The tugboats are also equipped with 2,800mm controllable-pitch propellers in combination with special render recovery winches. The render recovery winches are equipped with a 200 tonne break, render 100 tonnes at 100m/min and 60 tonnes at 50m/min at second layer, while normal mode pull is 60 tonnes at 20m/min.

The tugs are being built at Damen’s facility Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam and will be delivered to Svitzer UK in October 2015.

“Damen is happy to be able to provide Svitzer with the standardised fit-for-purpose tugboats and fast turnaround they are looking for. Over the past couple of years, Svitzer UK has increased its Damen tugboat orders. We have a long history of fruitful collaboration,” adds Smit.

Svitzer UK ordered its first ASD 3212 tug in 2014; a model outfitted with a fixed-pitch propeller in combination with a forward winch. Svitzer UK’s tug fleet now totals 21 Damen tugs including these three ASD 3212 vessels. The 180-year-old towage and salvage company has more than 430 vessels in over 100 locations worldwide.