The ultimate ship-handling tool
Sustainable maritime solutionsDamen’s work on the electrification of the maritime industry falls under the so-called E3 umbrella. That is, environmentally friendly, efficient in operation and economically viable. The shipyards group is currently working on a number of projects for electric vessels.

RSD Tugs

RSD Tugs

Times are changing for seaports all over the world. While ships get bigger, competition is tightening and personal safety and environmental impact are key factors in every decision made. Different times demand new ways of thinking. Introducing the Reversed Stern Drive Tug family. Able to safely guide the largest ships into port.

Compact in size, powerful in performance and effective by design. The RSD is a revolutionary concept built on Damen’s legacy of Tug design. The tug of choice for high dynamic bow and stern towing jobs with minimum engine power. The RSD comes in two versions: RSD Tug 2513 and RSD Tug 2513 Electric.

Powerful shiphandling tugs

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Meet the world’s most agile tug

  • Made for ship-handling

    Our offer is a vessel that is simple to use, reliable to operate and easy to maintain. A vessel that will last for decades. A vessel designed with safety and ergonomics in mind, but without compromising on the crucial matters of stability, responsiveness and winch capacity.

  • Compact power

    The RSD Tug 2513 is big power in a compact package – below 400 gross tonnes – well suited to for minimal, two person, crewing. The vessel is both multifunction and manoeuvrable for optimally efficiency harbour operations.

  • Safe operability

    The RSD Tug 2513 takes its responsibilities to safety as seriously as our customers do. Its unmanned engine room means that, during operations, the engineers can do their work from the wheelhouse.

  • Predictable course keeper

    With its Damen patented Twin Fin skeg, the RSD Tug 2513 delivers predictable sailing – and the more predictable the performance, the safer the operation. The tug also delivers high levels of stability, compliant with IMO regulations – MSC419(97).

  • Zero or low emissions performance

    The 80 tonne bollard pull RSD Tug 2513 is leading from the front, playing a leading role in the maritime energy transition. The vessel offers zero emissions capability with a high level of redundancy.

Experience our impact

Damen RSD Tug 2513 in action

News & milestones

Proof of concept

Damen delivers new tugs to Fairplay Towage Group and Louis Meyer

Damen Shipyards Group delivered three new tugs, consisting of an RSD Tug 2513 named Fairplay-98, and two ASD Tugs 2312 named Fairplay-86 and Fairplay-87.

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Damen signs 24 vessel order with Serco

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Serco for the delivery of 24 vessels of various types. As part of the agreement Serco will support the Royal Navy’s vessel replacement programme (VRP).

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Two RSD Tugs 2513 for Tripmare

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered two RSD Tugs 2513 to Italy-based Tripmare. Tripmare will use the vessels to meet the demands of escalating vessel traffic in the Adriatic port of Trieste.

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Damen solutions

Finance your vesselA reliable partner from start to finish. Explore solutions of Damen Financial Services.Learn more
Lifecycle supportFrom delivery onwards, Damen Services supports you, every step of the way.Learn more
Build your vessel locallyBuild a proven Damen design, at a location of your choice.Learn more
Trade-in your current vesselExplore our options for vessel trade-in at Damen Trading. Our in-house shipbroker.Learn more

We don’t just build ships. We deliver solutions

Please get in touch and let’s discuss what we can do.

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Frequently asked questions