TRI-PARTY AGREEMENT PROMOTES METHANOL TUGS

Dutch shipbuilder Damen, engine manufacturer Caterpillar and its Norway and Netherlands importer Pon Power have signed an MoU to develop methanol-fuelled tugs

Momentum is building among owners for alternativefuelled tugs, with both new constructions and retrofits.

They look to designers, shipyards and component manufacturers to satisfy increasing demands for vessels that meet emissions standards, and the agreement sees Damen Shipyards and Caterpillar developing the methanol fuel route.

Damen sees this as presenting another ‘green’ option for customers alongside its all-electric tug option, suitably represented by the RSD-E Tug 2513 Sparky delivered recently to Ports of Auckland, New Zealand and earning the ITS Tug of the Year award 2022.

The MoU involves joint development of a series of dualfuel methanol/diesel-powered tugs, The methanol-ready CAT 3500E series dual-fuel pilot engines will be delivered to Damen by Pon Power in 2024, when integration and testing will begin, described as being a “complex undertaking” involving integrating the engines with all aspects of the ship’s control, monitoring, ventilation and other systems.

The process will include close cooperation with classification societies and the aim is to have methanol- fuelled vessels ready for series production in 2026.

Damen’s two option strategy will see fully-electric tugs available in 40, 60 and 80 tonne bollard pull versions with methanol-fuelled tugs offering a slightly more powerful range of 60, 80 and 100 tonnes.

Electrically powered tugs are considered an option for zero emission operations where low-cost electricity can be easily accessed between assignments. As methanol has a greater energy density than batteries, this route delivers increased energy storage capacity suited for longer duration operations while remaining CO2 neutral. All vessels will be fitted with a standard Emissions Reduction System developed by Damen Sustainable Solutions B.V.

Brad Johnson, vice president and general manager, Caterpillar Marine describes the collaboration as: “… bringing together immeasurable expertise that allows us to learn together and innovate to address the great challenge of the energy transition”, adding that while it is indeed an exciting technical challenge to tackle, it most importantly fosters the industry’s goal to reach sustainable, low carbon operations.

Build under way for methanol hybrid CSOVs

The steel-cutting ceremony for the first of two next-generation methanol hybrid construction service operating vessels has been held at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey.

The new 89 metre CSOV will join the Acta Marine fleet in the second quarter of 2024 together with the second newbuild, which will follow three months later.

The bespoke SX216 design for the methanol MDO/HVO DP2 vessels has been developed in collaboration with Ulstein Design & Solutions and are the first contracted to use Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN design.

The combination of two sterns and main propellors at each end is said to reduce energy consumption and increase comfort as well as improving manoeuvrability and ability to stay in position

The TWIN X-STERN was recently nominated for the Offshore Support Journal

Innovation of the Year Award and the Acta Marine CSOV project is nominated for the Offshore Renewables Award.

The vessels can accommodate up to 135 crew and come equipped with an SMSTprovided motion-compensated crane, along with a motion-compensated gangway for personnel transfer in wave heights up to 3 metres.

In addition to the methanol MDO/HVO engines the new vessels also have a battery power storage system.