Damen Gets Full Approval to Build Methanol-Ready Fuel Flexible ASD Tugs

Why It Matters

The clearance removes a regulatory barrier for small, high‑energy‑density vessels, enabling ship owners to adopt methanol without sacrificing cost competitiveness. It accelerates the maritime industry's shift toward lower‑carbon fuels and supports IMO decarbonisation goals.

Key Takeaways

• Damen receives full class and flag state approval for methanol-ready tug
• ASD Tug 2713 FF can run diesel, HVO, or future methanol/hybrid
• Methanol tanks installed; propulsion equipment can be added later
• Design matches conventional cost per ton of bollard pull
• Approval sets precedent for compact vessels using methanol worldwide

Pulse Analysis

The maritime sector is under pressure to cut emissions, and alternative fuels such as methanol are emerging as viable options for short‑haul vessels. Damen Shipyards Group’s recent receipt of full class and flag state approval for its ASD Tug 2713 Fuel Flexible (FF) marks the first time a compact tug has been cleared to carry methanol under existing classification rules. The approval, granted by Bureau Veritas and the Dutch flag authority, builds on the 2023 approval‑in‑principle and demonstrates that risk‑based assessments can bridge the regulatory gap for smaller craft.

The 27.25‑meter tug is delivered with methanol storage tanks and space reserved for future propulsion kits, while remaining fully operational on conventional diesel or 100 % hydrotreated vegetable oil today. Damen stresses that the vessel’s price per tonne of bollard pull is comparable to traditional diesel tugs, removing a major cost barrier for ship owners. By allowing a staged investment—first using existing fuels, then retrofitting methanol or hybrid‑electric systems—operators gain financial certainty and can align upgrades with market availability of low‑carbon fuels.

Beyond Damen’s own fleet, the approval sets a precedent that could accelerate methanol adoption across the global tug market, where tight maneuvering and frequent port calls demand reliable, high‑energy‑density power. Existing methanol bunkering infrastructure in Europe and Asia, combined with its renewable production pathways, offers a relatively stable supply chain compared with ammonia or hydrogen. As classification societies refine rules for smaller vessels, we can expect more shipyards to offer fuel‑flexible designs, giving operators a pragmatic pathway toward the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 decarbonisation targets.