Dubai-based Drydocks World has contracted Wärtsilä to design and supply the propulsion and other equipment for a new harbour tug that will operate on liquefied natural gas.
This will be the first harbour tug in the Middle East region to operate on gas, according to a statement by Wärtsilä.
The 29 metre long tug is the first of a series of nine such vessels to be built and operated by DDW. The project is part of a ‘green’ initiative launched by the Dubai government, and is intended to set an example for promoting environmental sustainability throughout the region.
Wärtsilä is to provide a full scope of solutions for this Eco tug, in all, Wärtsilä will supply the ship design, two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST), type WST-18 Compact thrusters, the automation equipment, and the Wärtsilä LNGPac system.
Press Release; Image: Wärtsilä