The collaboration for the first four vessels was signed on 23 May at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah. The signing took place during the 27th International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Convention in Dubai.
Earlier that day, classification society Lloyd’s Register presented CMB.TECH and Damen with an approval in principle (AiP) for the hydrogen solution that will be installed in the tugs.
“We are delighted once again to be working with CMB.TECH” said Damen Area Sales Manager Benelux, Vincent Maes. “Our two family-owned companies share the same long-term view and commitment to the maritime energy transition. We’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration and developing the next steps to make our ports – and our world – a greener place.”
Damen and CMB.TECH have previously cooperated on the development of a series Commissioning Service Operations Vessels (CSOV) - which are powered by dual fuel hydrogen generator sets - the so-called Elevation Series, that Damen is building for CMB.TECH’s subsidiary Windcat.
The dual fuel hydrogen ASD Tugs 2812 FF-H2, with 80-tonnes bollard pull, that meet the most stringent IMO Tier III and EU Stage V standards, are a new step in the parties’ cooperation. The vessels will feature four highspeed dual fuel hydrogen engines, designed to minimise NOx and CO2 emissions. They will also have modular storage systems for compressed hydrogen, ensuring safe storage below deck. Each tug can carry up to 16 hydrogen bottles, storing a total of 736kg of pressurised hydrogen at 350 bar.
While the tugs will primarily run on hydrogen, they’re equipped to switch to traditional fuel if hydrogen isn’t available and can operate on 100 percent traditional fuel if needed. The tugs feature a total of 160m3 fuel holds.
“This contract marks another very important step in the development of our hydrogen-powered vessel portfolio” said Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH. “ASD tugs are ideal assets to start the decarbonisation of port operations. With our hydrogen tugs, every port in the world will now be able to lower its carbon emissions and create demand for green hydrogen production.”
For additional information:
