As part of a fleet renewal programme, the Defence Materiel Administration of Sweden has ordered four ice-class tugs from Damen Shipyards with an option for two more.
The four STu 1706 ICE tugs are based on the Damen Stan Tug 1606 design and have been extended to 17 metres to accommodate the requested extras which include a heavy-duty crane, bow thrusters and an extra strong aft winch.
The tender was issued by Försvarets Materielverk, the organisation that procures equipment for the Swedish armed forces. “This is the second order FMV placed with Damen Shipyards,” said Patric Hjorth, Director Naval Division.
“Damen’s experience with state-of-the-art tug boats as well the ability to maintain the vessel during their lifetime and deliver excellent service from their local yard in Sweden has positioned them well to support and advise us in our mission to provide the Swedish Navy with reliable and smooth sailing vessels.”
The twin screw tug will be powered by two Volvo D13 MH engines. Exhaust silencing, selective catalyc reduction and soot filters will ensure IMO Tier III compliance. An auxiliary generator delivers the extra electric power needed for crane handling and bilge cooling ducts transfer engine heat into the waters from a closed loop system, so that surface water – which could contain damaging ice particles – is not needed. The push knee on the tugs’ bows will be adapted to navigating in ice.
The four vessels will be built at the Albwardy Damen yard in Dubai which has recently completed construction of six Stan Tug 1606 vessels. The tugs will be delivered by the end of 2023 and will operate in Stockholm Harbour and Karlskrona.
