Dutch firm christens new eco-friendly tug to support construction of ‘world’s first energy island’

Dutch towage and salvage company Multraship Towage & Salvage has held a christening ceremony for its newest eco-friendly tug, Multratug 36, built by compatriot shipbuilder Damen.

As disclosed, the ceremony took place at the home port of Terneuzen, the Netherlands, on November 1, 2024. Multratug 36 is a 32-meter tug designed according to Damen’s ASD Tug 3212 specifications.

The ship has been substantially upgraded to Multraship’s standards and requirements with a series of options, which include compliance with IMO Tier III requirements. This is achieved with the installation of Damen’s in-house developed Marine NO_X Reduction system. 

This modular, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system reduces NO_X emissions by 80% compared with IMO Tier II requirements, according to Damen.

Additionally, Damen has installed the tug with FiFi-1 firefighting systems and has upgraded it for anchor handling and related offshore operations.

This vessel, intended for deep-sea and coastal towage, salvage, and other operations, is the latest of three new tugs Multraship ordered from Damen to expand its fleet.

One of the upcoming projects the tug will support is the construction of the “world’s first artificial energy island”, Princess Elizabeth Island project. The energy island will be built some 45 kilometers off the Belgian coast, within the Princess Elizabeth offshore wind farm zone, and span approximately five hectares above water. The area that will house the electrical infrastructure will be built across approximately six hectares.

The island is expected to be built by 2026 and connected to the grid by 2028, with the first turbines operational by then.

A Belgian consortium comprising DEME and Jan De Nul (TM Edison) is building the foundations of the energy island project on behalf of system operator Elia Transmission.

“For the Princess Elisabeth Island project, Multraship is responsible for towing and assembling the caissons from Flushing to the island. Each caisson measures 57 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and 30 meters in height, serving as the foundation for the island’s structure. This project requires significant towing capacity, and the Multratug 35 and Multratug 36 have been designated for the task,” Multraship’s Managing Director Leendert Muller said.

The Princess Elizabeth Zone, whose main development is Princess Elisabeth Island, will see up to 3.5 GW of new offshore wind farms connecting to the island’s infrastructure.

Another significant project where Multraship will deliver towage and marine support services is the Fehmarnbelt Project.

This is Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel. This 18.2-kilometer-long tunnel will connect Denmark and Germany and is expected to open in 2029.

Multraship will provide seven vessels for this project.

“We are immensely proud to be part of these significant marine infrastructure projects, both of which will not only promote sustainability and the energy transition but also drive the advancement of innovative infrastructure in Europe,” Muller added.