KVNR Recognizes KOTUG for Hybrid Tugs

The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has awarded its Shipping Award to Netherlands-based towage operator KOTUG for its next-generation ART80-32 Hybrid Rotortugs.

The award was presented during the 10th Dutch Maritime Awards Gala in Rotterdam by Tineke Netelenbos, chairman of the KVNR Shipping Award jury, who stated, “The propulsion configuration of these new-generation ART80-32 Hybrid Rotortugs series draws on the proven design of KOTUG’s RT Adriaan, world’s first hybrid Rotortug built under class. In 2012 KOTUG retrofitted this conventional Rotortug into a hybrid Rotortug. RT Emotion and RT Evolution are newly designed Rotortugs, delivering optimal performance in different sailing profiles. The 'A' is for Advanced”.

KOTUG explained that the optimized hull shape of the ART80-32 generation Rotortug allows ahead and astern speeds of well over 13 knots. In terms of bollard pull, 84 metric tons over the stern and 82 metric tons over the bow is achieved. The advanced design concept benefits from improved versatility, flexibility, and the ability to respond very quickly to changes in maneuvering requirements. The end result is a user-friendly, highly responsive tug, with focus on safety.

KOTUG nowadays operate three hybrid Rotortugs, the so-called E-KOTUG series in their total fleet of tugboats. RT Adriaan and RT Evolution are operating in the Port of Rotterdam and RT Emotion commenced her towage activities in the German port of Bremerhaven recently. RT Evolution and RT Emotion, both 32-meter hybrid next-generation ART80-32 Rotortugs are new Damen-built tugs and designed by an alliance of Rotortug B.V. in the Netherlands and Robert Allan Ltd in Canada.

“We are proud that our active green policy resulted in three fully classed E-KOTUG series of hybrid Rotortugs. The hybrid tugnology provides economic advantages by a very efficient and eco-friendly sailing profile, optimizes working conditions for the crew and minimizes harmful emissions,” said KOTUG’s CEO Ard-Jan Kooren. “The KVNR Shipping Award is the recognition of our green performance, innovative culture, imposed in all our services dedicated to the maritime industry.”

The green results of the E-KOTUG series are 50 percent reduction of harmful emissions, significant noise reduction, cleaner combustion and substantial maintenance savings thanks to improved fuel economy. The Rotortug’s hybrid capacity is generated by three electric motors, complemented by a battery pack and managed by an intelligent XeroPoint Hybrid Propulsion System.

In addition to the Shipping Award, four other maritime prizes were presented. The Maritime Designer Award went to Victor Verhulst for his ‘underwater lounge’ for luxury yachts. For his study into cylindrical containers which can carry equipment for special forces on the exterior of submarines, Lieutenant Kevin Stouten was awarded the Van Hengel-Spengler Prize by the Royal Netherlands Navy. Hull Vane received the Maritime Innovation Award for its ‘upside-down underwater spoiler’, which can lead to fuel savings of between 10 and over 20 percent. KNVTS Ship of the Year was the Maintenance Support Walk-to-Work Vessel ‘Kroonborg’, built by Royal Niestern Sander.

The Gala also marked the start of the Maritime Week 2015. Many of the activities during this event are held in Ahoy, Rotterdam, where the Europort trade exhibition will be organized from November 3-6. Other activities during the Maritime Week include the opening of the Maritime Academy Holland Training Center in Harlingen, the HBO Offshore Network Symposium in Leeuwarden and the ‘Hunt for Pirates’ quest for children in the Marine Museum in Den Helder. The week will be concluded on Saturday, November 7 with the Open Days of various branches of Damen Shipyards and the Sea Cadets.

The official opening of the Maritime Week was performed yesterday evening by Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment: “The Dutch maritime sector is not only a leading player in Europe, but also in the world. In the Maritime Strategy, we have made agreements to maintain and strengthen our top maritime position. Thanks partly to excellent innovations. It is this high-quality knowledge that keeps us among the world’s top players.”