Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group said it will deliver three new build tugs to Kotug Smit Towage for its European harbour towage operations.

This order will bring the total number of Damen-built tugs operating in Kotug Smit’s fleet of 69 to 22, said a statement from the company.

This agreement encompasses two ASD Tugs 2913 and an ATD Tug 2412 Twin Fin, it said.

The ASD 2913 is renowned for its manoeuvrability and environmentally efficient performance and boasts 80 tonne bollard pull. Damen has outfitted one of the two 2913 vessels with a fire-fighting system.

The 70 tonne bollard pull ATD Tug 2412, with its twin fin feature, combines compactness with manoeuvrability, it added.

Simultaneously, Kotug Smit Towage commenced a charter of a Damen-built ASD 2810 Hybrid tug, which was renamed Hampshire during Kotug Smit’s ‘Herring with friends-party’ – a traditional Dutch event to mark the beginning of the herring season – in Rotterdam, said a statement.

Hampshire was freshly delivered from Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, where she had been repainted in Kotug Smit Towage colours, it added.

René Raaijmakers, CEO, Kotug Smit Towage, said: “We are delighted to be supporting our growth in the UK with the addition of three new tugs to our fleet.”

“These Damen tugs were selected for their high performance and short delivery time and will fit perfectly into our European harbour towage operations, especially given their commonality with the tugs we are currently operating,” he said.

Mijndert Wiesenekker, area director - Benelux, Damen, said: “We are very pleased to be delivering these vessels to Kotug Smit and continuing to help them in their sustained growth and development.”

“Thanks to our standardised shipbuilding philosophy two of the vessels had already been constructed as stock vessels, ensuring Kotug Smit of the fastest possible delivery time,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service