Fairplay Towage Group has ordered two reverse stern drive (RSD) harbour tugs from Damen Shipyards Group to expand its fleet
Damen already has these twin-fin tugs under construction at the Damen Song Cam Shipyard, Vietnam for delivery January 2023, when they will begin operations in the Baltic region.
Fairplay’s new tugboats will be built to Damen RSD 2513 design with propulsion complying with IMO Tier III emissions requirements. FiFi1-rated fire-fighting systems and powerful render recovery winches with auto tensioning systems will be installed on the tugs.
Fairplay has also opted for Damen’s Marine NOX reduction system, with selective catalytic reduction for emissions control for Tier III compliance, and the Damen Triton digital platform for monitoring operational efficiency.
Fairplay is one of Europe’s leading tugboat operators with more than 100 tugs in operation. It is likely to deploy these new RSD tugs in Poland to help LNG carriers and other ships into ports.
Fairplay Towage Polska project manager Arkadiusz Ryz said this order was connected to a tug order in 2021. “Thanks to strong connection with our clients, we actively respond to the growing market needs with highest quality and efficiency available,” he said. “Those two highly manoeuvrable, high-performance modern tugs will strengthen our fleet and co-operation with Damen.”
Fairplay purchased a Shoalbuster 2711 vessel from Damen in 2021 for general operations in the North and Baltic seas, said Damen sales manager Joschka Böddeling. “This latest contract further reinforces the co-operation between our two companies.”
RSD 2513 tugs have an overall length of 25 m, a beam of 13 m and a draught of around 7 m. Its propulsion delivers 85 tonnes of bollard pull ahead, 80 tonnes astern and a top speed of approximately 14 knots. These 330-gt tugs have accommodation for six and fuel oil capacity of 78 m3. Damen’s twin-fin skeg ensures course-keeping and predictable sailing in front of a vessel.
Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies in 20 countries, supported by a worldwide sales and service network.
