First electric tug in the Middle East
Damen Shipyards and Safeen Group, part of AD Ports Group, have signed an agreement for the lease and purchase of the Damen RSD-E Tug 2513, the first fully electric tug to operate in the Middle East. This 25 m tug, with a 70 t bollard pull, can handle the largest vessels and perform multiple assignments before a two-hour recharge.
The first vessel from Damen’s recent production run has left Vietnam and is now heading for Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, where it will join Safeen Group's fleet. Initially, the tug will operate in hybrid mode using tier III compliant generators until shore-based charging is available.
The contract was signed in Abu Dhabi on 2 May, and the tug will be unveiled at the International Tug & Salvage Convention in Dubai. (pb)