Keel Laid for Ports of Auckland's New E-Tug

In Vietnam, Damen Song Cam Shipyard, together with joint venture partner Song Cam Shipyard hosted a keel-laying ceremony Tuesday for the electric RSD-E Tug 2513 that Damen is building for the Ports of Auckland, New Zealand.

A fully electric version of Damen’s standard RSD Tug 2513, the new RSD-E Tug 2513 is the world’s first fully electric tug with 70 metric tons bollard pull. It will contribute toward meeting Ports of Auckland’s goal of being a zero emissions operation by 2040. With 80% of electricity in the country already cleanly generated, the tug will complete a green energy cycle in the ports.

The new tug will be named Sparky following a popular vote in which people were invited to select a name for the vessel. More than half of the 8,000 people who participated in the election voted for the name.

Joris van Tienen, general director of Damen Song Cam Shipyard, said construction is beginning on schedule despite challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to the RSD-E Tug 2513, the Damen Shipyards Group recently built and delivered fully electric ferries to Denmark, electric and hybrid ferries to Canada and an electric cutter suction dredger.