Tugboat Construction Drives Demand for Advanced Marine Engines and Propulsion
The global tugboat construction sector is experiencing a surge in demand for advanced marine engines and propulsion systems. Shipyards worldwide are increasing production, driving up orders for four-stroke diesel engines, generators, fixed-pitch propellers, and azimuth thrusters. Key manufacturers like Caterpillar, Cummins, Everllence, MAN Engines, mtu, Niigata, Volvo Penta, and Yanmar are competing for engine contracts, while Kongsberg Maritime’s acquisition of Berg Propulsion and Steerprop is expected to reduce competition in the azimuth thruster market.
Despite this consolidation, demand for azimuth thrusters remains high, with at least two units required per vessel. Shipyards and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are signing multiple agreements to meet the growing need for emissions reduction and efficiency improvements without compromising performance. Everllence, for example, has been selected to supply its 175D engines for Damen’s fuel-flexible (FF) azimuth stern drive (ASD) harbor tugs, which will be built in Vietnam and China.
Damen, a Netherlands-based shipbuilder, is producing a series of tugs designed to operate on diesel, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biofuels, and dual-fuel methanol. These tugs, built to the ASD 3313 FF and ASD 2713 FF designs, will include space for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) units, urea tanks, diesel particulate filters, and methanol fuel storage. Damen’s manager for tugs, Erik van Schaik, stated, "Our ambition is to bring future-ready tug designs to market quickly."
The adoption of biofuels is gaining momentum, with Indonesian vessel operators using biofuel blends for domestic routes and port services. Svitzer is leading the way in the UK by using HVO and FAME blends in the Netherlands and Oman. Other major players like Boluda Towage, Fairplay Towage, Multraship Towage, SAAM Towage, and Wilson Sons are also trialing biofuels on their tugs and workboats.