Damen lands new tug contracts for German owner

Hamburg-based tug operators have placed orders for four new vessels with Damen Shipyards Group. Fairplay Towage has ordered three vessels – two RSD 2513s and one ASD 2312, and Louis Meyer has contracted an ASD 2312 which will be bareboat chartered to Fairplay from delivery.

Damen’s strategy of building for stock means short delivery times: one of the reversed stern drive vessels and both azimuth stern drive vessels will be delivered later this year. The second reversed stern drive boat is due for completion early next year.

The vessels, based on standard designs, will have additional features. These will include LNG, firefighting (FiFi-1) and winterisation packages. They will also have Damen Marine NOx Reduction Systems to ensure IMO Tier lll compliance.

The tugs will be built at Damen yards in China and Vietnam and transported for delivery to Rotterdam in a heavy-lift shipment. From delivery onwards, the tugs will have warranty support and aftersales service from Damen Services Germany.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Fairplay Towage Group managing director, Philip Harmstorf, said: “The decision to order from Damen is based on our long-term strategy for fleet modernisation. The new tugs will not only help us optimise our operations and increase efficiency but also fulfil our commitment to sustainable technologies. Collaborating closely with Damen allows us to benefit from their proven designs and innovative solutions tailored to our specific requirements.”