Damen Shipyards Group has received class and flag state approval for its ASD Tug 2713 Fuel Flexible (FF) to operate on methanol fuel, the company announced on 19 May.

The approval was issued by Bureau Veritas and the Kingdom of the Netherlands flag state. It follows the approval in principle (AiP) that Damen received for its design of methanol-powered compact vessels in 2023.

The 27.25 by 12.83 metre ASD Tug 2713 FF is a multi-purpose vessel, designed to perform coastal and harbour operations including LNG terminal support, ship handling and berthing, oil pollution control and firefighting operations.

According to Damen, the FF tugs are built to perform current operations on diesel propulsion, with the possibility to sail on 100% HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). They are additionally prepared for different energy configurations in the future. Depending on what is commercially viable, available, or mandatory, the tugs can be converted to hybrid-electric or methanol propulsion.

The tugs are delivered with methanol tanks and the space prepared for the installation of the necessary propulsion equipment. The FF tugs are price-comparable, per tonne of bollard pull, with a conventional vessel, according to the company.

Damen noted that it has identified methanol as a promising future fuel for tugs due to its relatively high energy density and the presence of pre-existing infrastructure. Additionally, with methanol being available from multiple sources, both renewable and non-renewable, production can be scaled, ensuring security of supply and price stability, the company stated.

However, classification rules have, until now, been developed for larger vessels, such as chemical tankers. As such, they are not suited to compact vessels like tugs. To this end, Damen has worked closely with both Bureau Veritas and the Dutch flag state to secure approval for methanol propulsion in its ASD Tug 2713 FF.

This has involved a risk-based approach. Together, the three parties undertook a comprehensive risk assessment. Following this, steps were taken to mitigate any identified risks, ensuring that the design is as safe as prescriptive designs. This approach makes it possible to continue to construct compact vessels even when they are fitted with methanol systems.

Pieter Spruijt, System Owner Alternative Fuels at Damen, commented: "This is a very important step forward for our FF tugs range. Class and flag state approval for the ASD Tug 2713 FF demonstrates that the AiP we received in 2023 can be applied to different models in our portfolio. Given the commonality throughout the range, this paves the way for approval of other FF models. This is excellent news for vessel operators as it offers additional confidence in their investment decisions.

"I am grateful to both parties that have assisted us in this process. I have been continually impressed by the willingness of the Kingdom of the Netherlands flag state to support steps to make the Dutch fleet more sustainable by embracing innovation. We have long enjoyed a strong collaboration with Bureau Veritas and I am very pleased that they have been able to approve our methanol-powered tug, in addition to our diesel portfolio."

Herman Spilker, Vice President North Europe at Bureau Veritas, remarked: "Bureau Veritas has been pleased to support Damen, both in achieving AiP, as well as approval for its first methanol tug design. I foresee a fruitful future for compact vessels able to sail on methanol fuels, as operators continue to seek a way forward with alternative fuels."

Damen addded that, in addition to enabling the company to construct methanol-prepared tugs, these approvals take the European Union a step closer to introducing fully methanol-fuelled vessels, contributing to zero-emission waterborne targets.