Kongsberg Maritime has clinched a contract to supply propulsion for the world’s first fully electric ship-handling tug
Two azimuth thrusters will be built in Finland for a revolutionary ship-handling tug under construction at Damen Shipyards for Ports of Auckland, New Zealand who approached Damen to design a fully electric tug as part of its intention to conduct emissions-free operations by 2040.
Damen designed a reverse stern drive (RSD) electric tug as part of a joint initiative with the ports group, developing a zero-emissions derivation of the IMO Tier III-ready RSD 2513 tug design. Damen then ordered azimuth thrusters from Kongsberg for the propulsion.
Ports of Auckland’s new tug will be built to a RSD-E 2513 design with 70 tonnes of bollard pull that will come from a pair of Kongsberg US255 L azimuth thrusters with permanent magnet electric motors and fixed pitch propellers. These will be manufactured at Kongsberg’s facilities in in Rauma, Finland.
Kongsberg executive vice president for global sales and marketing Bård Bjørløw said Ports of Auckland and Damen are spreading remote and autonomous processes across the marine industry.
“Equipped with our thrusters, the RSD-E 2513 tug is destined for recognition as a benchmark concept in the development of zero-emissions, fully electric vessels,” said Mr Bjørløw. “We commend Ports of Auckland in setting this inspiring example for eco-friendly port operations.”
Kongsberg has a long tradition of supplying propulsion systems to Damen Shipyards. Since the first delivery in 1983, it has delivered almost 1,300 azimuth thrusters for vessel newbuilding projects including azimuth stern drive and RSD tugs.
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