Original news was published on 1 July, 2014

Three leading companies have teamed up to bring the first ever Reverse Stern Drive (RSD) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tug to the market. Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands, German engine manufacturer MTU Friedrichshafen, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, and Denmark’s SVITZER have embarked on the pioneering project with the official launch of the new eco-friendly tug planned for 2016.

The new RSD CNG tug combines high power with lower fuel costs and a substantial reduction in emissions. The new 16-cylinder pure gas engine being developed by MTU is based on its proven workboat Series 4000 M63 diesel engine. It will be complemented with a multipoint gas injection system, a dynamic engine control and an optimized safety concept.

“We are developing our new gas series in order to meet the extreme load profile of the tugboat. The acceleration will be comparable to the level of our diesel engines. Due to the clean combustion concept, compliance with IMO Tier 3 emission legislation will be ensured without the need of additional exhaust gas after treatment,” Dr. Ulrich Dohle, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said.

The new Damen Reverse Stern Drive (RSD) is essentially an ASD and tractor tug in one – being able to sail ahead and astern, with the same bow height forward and aft. Currently, the Series comprises the RSD 2210, which will have a 50 t BP, RSD 2512 (70t BP) and RSD 2914 (90t BP).

*NEWS SOURCE