The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently welcomed six new energy-efficient tugs, including Europe’s first fully-electric RSD tugboat, as part of its sustainability plan. Constructed by Damen in Vietnam, the tugs were launched between April and August 2024 and underwent extensive testing before being loaded onto the Jumbo Kinetic for delivery to Belgium. The electric tugboat, named Volta 1, has a bollard pull of 70 tons and is designed for excellent maneuverability and versatility.
The RSD-E Tug 2513, operating with large batteries, can perform a minimum of two towage operations on a single charge. Damen has also installed a 1.5 MW charger and electric infrastructure at the port to support the operations, allowing the tug to be fully recharged in two hours. Additionally, the five other tugs are fitted with NOX Reduction Systems to ensure compliance with IMO Tier III regulations.
The new tugboats will undergo further preparations for deployment in the port, including technical start-up, crew training, and testing in collaboration with new charging infrastructure at the Nautical Operational Cluster. The Port Authority’s comprehensive greening program includes the introduction of hydrogen and methanol-powered tugboats, as well as plans to reduce emissions from its fleet through new technologies. The global trend towards electric tugs is growing, with countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the United States investing in this eco-friendly technology.
