FMV (Försvarets Materielverk), the Defence Materiel Administration of Sweden, the organisation that acquires all necessary equipment for the Swedish armed forces, has ordered four ice-class tugs from Damen Shipyards with options four two extra.
Damen won the contract following a tender process, which called for a trusted partner that could deliver vessels of proven performance. Standardised designs by Damen ensure this reliability and allow for the extensive range of optional equipment that the operators in the naval harbours require. The Damen Stan Tug 1606 tugs will be equipped with various options, including a heavy duty crane, bow thrusters, and extra strong aft winch. The length of the vessel design will be extended to 17m length overall to fit all the options. Engines will comply with IMO Tier III emission regulations.
Along with the options mentioned, heating and air conditioning, a galley with settee and toilet will complete crew safety and comfort aboard. The twin screw tugs will be powered by two Volvo D13 MH engines. Exhaust silencing, SCR (selective catalytic reduction – to remove nitrogen dioxide from exhaust gases) and soot filters will ensure IMO Tier III compliance. An auxiliary generator delivers extra electric power needed for crane handling. Bilge cooling ducts transfer engine heat into the waters from a closed loop system, without take-in of surface water in which ice particles could block the engine cooling system. The push knee on the tugs’ bows will be adapted to navigating in ice. The four Stan Tugs will be delivered to Sweden by the end of 2023.
Patric Hjorth, FMV Director Naval Division, said: “This is the second order FMV placed with Damen Shipyards. This series of new harbour tugs is part of our fleet renewal program. Damen has proven to be the right partner for this project. Their experience with state of the art tug boats as well the ability to maintain the vessel during their lifetime and deliver excellent service from their local yard in Sweden has positioned them well to support and advise us in our mission to provide the Swedish Navy with reliable and smooth sailing vessels.”
Martin Verstraaten, Damen Sales Manager, said: “Throughout the tender process, the collaboration between all parties has been excellent. Implementing FMV’s special demands in our proven design and combining our operational knowledge and shipbuilding experience has resulted in a compliant solution that offers real value for money.”
The four vessels will be built at the Albwardy Damen yard in Dubai, which recently completed construction of six Stan Tug 1606 vessels. The lengthened design for FMV will profit from the building experience at the yard. FMV previously ordered two Damen ASD 3010 ice class tugs, positive experience with these vessels as well as the cooperation with Damen played a role in their choice to select Damen for the construction of these four new tugs. The lengthened tugs for FMV will get their own type designation, Stan Tug 1706 ICE. The vessels are to operate in the harbours of Stockholm and Karlskrona, with two tugs based in each location. Two more ice class tugs of the same design are on option, which would operate in the western parts of Sweden. Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet in the south-east of Sweden will act as a service hub for the FMV tugs.
