The four ASD Tug 2812 FF-H2 model newbuilds will have CMB.TECH’s dual-fuel hydrogen technology, 80 tonnes bollard pull and meet the most stringent IMO Tier III and EU Stage V standards. The vessels will feature four high-speed 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 736 kg of pressurised hydrogen at 350 bar.

While these tugs will primarily run on hydrogen, they are equipped to switch to traditional fuel if hydrogen isn’t available and can operate on 100% traditional fuel if needed. 

The collaboration for the first four vessels was signed 23 May at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah. The signing took place during Riviera Maritime Media’s 27th International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Convention & Exhibition in Dubai. During the ITS conference, classification society Lloyd’s Register awarded CMB.TECH and Damen with an approval in principle for the hydrogen system that will be installed in the tugs.

CMB.TECH chief executive Alexander Saverys, on hand for the signing, said, "This contract marks another very important step in the development of our hydrogen-powered vessel portfolio. 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."

Calling CMB.Tech a shipping company, Mr Saverys, whose family also holds a majority stake in the Euronav fleet and other maritime companies, said "very recently, we started a tugboat business". 

Mr Saverys also said his company believes decarbonisation is an economic trend and it is inevitable customers of the companies CMB.Tech is developing technologies for will force the shipping industry to decarbonise.

"No more excuses. I don’t just have one ship for you, I have four ships [on order], and I believe, with Damen, many, many more."

Damen and CMB.TECH have previously co-operated on the development of a series of commissioning service operations vessels powered by dual-fuel hydrogen generator sets. Damen is building the Elevation series of vessels for CMB.TECH’s subsidiary Windcat.