Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Port Marlborough New Zealand (PMNZ) for the delivery of an ASD Tug 2312. PMNZ will operate the tug in Picton Harbour, where it will provide towage services for the more than 3,000 500GT+ vessels to call annually.
The new tug will join an ASD Tug 2111, named Kaiana, that Damen delivered to PMNZ in 2024. On arrival of the new tug, PMNZ will be the operator of New Zealand’s newest towage fleet. The new vessel will, in time, replace two existing vessels, named Monowaiand Maungatea.
The ASD Tug 2312, at just under 23m in length is a compact vessel. It’s also powerful, offering 70 tonnes bollard pull. Additionally, with its azimuth thrusters and the patented Damen Twin Fin skeg, the vessel is extremely manoeuvrable.
As part of Damen’s Compact Tugs series, the ASD Tug 2312 is designed to enhance safety, sustainability, reliability and efficiency. It features, for example, 360-degree visibility from the wheelhouse and clutter-free decks to ensure a safe working environment.
The latter feature is enabled by the location of a single winch – for operations fore and aft – in the deckhouse, sheltering it from the elements. The tug also features an innovative system that generates electric power from the main engines to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
Additionally, Damen has outfitted the vessel with its Marine NOX Reduction System. This in-house developed selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system reduces NOX emissions by up to 80%, enabling compliance with IMO Tier III. Although the regulations do not yet apply in New Zealand, PMNZ has committed to providing a more sustainable operation.
