Tractor tugs for fleet renewal programme

All four tugs are being built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Demonstrating the advantages of building vessels for stock, the Dutch shipbuilder is handing over the first two just a month after the contract signing.
Svitzer, headquartered in Copenhagen, has the first two tugs signed up for port towage operations at its Dominican Republic joint venture with Remolcadores Dominicanos. Damen is to deliver these vessels, to be called Svitzer Maimon and Svitzer Beata, in April. The second two tugs are due for completion in August.
All four vessels are of Damen’s 24m azimuth tractor drive (ATD) design. This compact, heavy duty tug yields a bollard pull of over 65 tonnes – the power originating from twin Caterpillar 3516C main engines.
A top speed of 12 knots and a powerful aft winch, combined with Damen’s experience with tug design, make these vessels suitable for consistent and effective harbour towage activities, the company says.