Damen starts building UAE terminal tug

Damen Shipyards has laid the keel of a tug newbuilding that will provide marine support to a new bulk terminal being built in the Middle East. The azimuthing stern drive tug will be built at Damen Shipyards Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates for Saqr Ports, part of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Ports.

The newbuilding is of an ASD Tug 2913 design, optimised using 3D engineering and computer modelling. Damen said it designed this vessel to optimise the ergonomics for the crew and to ensure accessibility of all systems for easy maintenance during the lifetime of the tug.

Damen expects the tug to be delivered to RAK Ports next year in time for the opening of a new bulk terminal at Saqr Port. It has been designed to handle the large carriers that will call at the port. The ASD 2913 tug will have a bollard pull of around 80 tonnes.

Saqr Port is the main bulk-handling port in the Middle East and a vital part of the regional economy.