Damen delivers first all-electric tug

The Damen shipbuilding group’s first all-electric tug, Sparky, was handed over to Ports of Auckland at a ceremony in the New Zealand city last week. The RSD-E Tug 2513, with a bollard pull of 70 tonnes, was also given its Māori name, Tiaki, at the same event.

The tug, which will be capable of handling the largest vessels calling at Ports of Auckland facilities, is an important step in the group’s target of becoming a zero-emissions facility by 2040. The vessel’s design is the result of six years of development work between Damen and the port authority.

Allan D’Souza, Ports of Auckland’s General Manager Marine and Multi Cargo Operations, said: “It is wonderful to have Sparky here in Auckland and to be able to get aboard and put her through her paces. We held a blessing ceremony with local Māori iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, as a final step before we officially start operations. As part of the blessing, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei gave Sparky her Māori name, ‘Tiaki’, which means to care for people or place, in recognition of her role in reducing emissions and our port’s impact on the environment.”

Damen’s Regional Sales Manager Asia Pacific, Pim Schuurman, commented: “Ports of Auckland has taken a bold step in pioneering the use of fully electric harbour tugs and it is an honour to have worked with them on this project. We hope that in the future we will be able to look back and see that Sparky marked the beginning of a significant shift from diesel to clean, zero emissions electric tugs.”