---

Dutch towage operator KOTUG was this week presented with the KNV Shipping Award at the 10th Dutch Maritime Awards Gala, held in Rotterdam.

The company was awarded the annual environmental and innovation prize by the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) for its new hybrid ART80-32 Rotortug series.

KOTUG currently operates three hybrid Rotortugs, named the E-KOTUG series. RT Adriaan and RT Evolution both operate in the port of Rotterdam, and RT Emotion recently commenced its towage activities in the German port of Bremerhaven.

RT Evolution and RT Emotion are both 32-metre hybrid next-generation ART80-32 Rotortugs that were built by Damen and designed by Rotortug B.V. in the Netherlands and Robert Allan Ltd in Canada.

The hybrid propulsion system enables the rudder propellers of the RT Evolution and the RT Emotion to be driven by diesel-direct, diesel-electric or fully-electric propulsion.

The E-KOTUG series vessels are said to produce a 50 percent reduction of harmful emissions, significant noise reduction, cleaner combustion and substantial maintenance savings thanks to improved fuel economy.

The Rotortug's hybrid capacity is generated by three electric motors, complemented by a battery pack and managed by a XeroPoint Hybrid Propulsion System.

Mrs. Tineke Netelenbos, Chairman of the KVNR Shipping Award jury, remarked: "The propulsion configuration of these new-generation ART80-32 Hybrid Rotortugs series draws on the proven design of KOTUG's RT Adriaan - the world's first hybrid Rotortug built under class. In 2012, KOTUG retrofitted this conventional Rotortug into a hybrid Rotortug. RT Emotion and RT Evolution are newly designed Rotortugs, delivering optimal performance in different sailing profiles. The 'A' is for 'Advanced'. These next-generation series are remarkable thanks to various distinguishing features."

KOTUG's CEO, Ard-Jan Kooren, said: "We are proud that our active green policy resulted in three fully classed E-KOTUG series of hybrid Rotortugs. The hybrid tugnology provides economic advantages by a very efficient and eco-friendly sailing profile, optimizes working conditions for the crew and minimizes harmful emissions. The KVNR Shipping Award is the recognition of our green performance, innovative culture, imposed in all our services dedicated to the maritime industry."

The Port of Rotterdam commented in a statement: "Thanks to a specially shaped hull, the vessels are very stable during assistance operations, but at the same time have the lowest possible resistance when not towing. Partly as a result of this, they can achieve a fuel saving of 27 percent."

In addition to the Shipping Award, Hull Vane received the Maritime Innovation Award for its 'upside-down underwater spoiler', which is said to produce fuel savings of somewhere between 10 and just over 20 percent.