Rolls-Royce powered tugs take to the sea with the Dutch and Swedish navies
Damen Shipyards Group delivered the first of a total of three hybrid tugs of the type ASD 2810 Hybrid to the Dutch Navy (RNLN) at the end of February 2016. The delivery followed the handover by Damen of two new seagoing Ice Class tugs to the Swedish Navy at the end of 2015. Rolls-Royce supplied Damen with a total of ten MTU Series 4000 engines and five MTU Series 2000 engines, in addition to azimuth thrusters for the propulsion system of the workboats. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
The Dutch Navy’s hybrid tugs contain a main mechanical propulsion system equipped with two MTU 16V 4000 M63R engines – each delivering 1,840 kilowatts of power – plus a diesel-electric propulsion system, equipped with a 640-kilowatt genset based on a MTU 12V 2000 M41B engine, and batteries.
Tugs equipped with hybrid propulsion can operate in port and coastal areas solely on battery power that has been generated by the combustion engine. Compared with other tugs, hybrid versions use up to 30 per cent less fuel and produce 40 per cent fewer exhaust emissions. Each of the vessels supplied to the Dutch Navy has a maximum bollard pull of 60 tonnes. Among their many duties, the tugs will be given the task of towing military vessels, carrying crew members and positioning floating targets during military exercises.
The two tugs for the Swedish Navy are powered by two MTU 8V 4000 M63 diesel engines, each delivering an output of 1,000 kilowatts. The ICE Class workboats have a reinforced hull and are highly resistant to abrasion and mechanical stress. As all-rounders, they are not only designed to manoeuvre in waters partly covered in ice, but also to recover torpedoes used in military exercises and tow ships, as well as carry military equipment, drinking water, fuel, and up to 12 crew members. They are equipped with firefighting equipment powered by a 12 cylinder, 600-kilowatt MTU Series 2000 engine.
