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On March 30, 2015, the ART 80-32 Hybrid Rotortug RT Emotion was handed over from Damen Shipyards Group to its owner Elisabeth Ltd. Last week, on April 16, the vessel sailed from Rotterdam to Bremerhaven on one electric motor in full hybrid mode, where it is to begin operations for KOTUG's European harbour towage division. Sister tug RT Evolution commenced operations in the Port of Rotterdam on December 1, 2014.

In a joint statement, KOTUG's CEO Ard-Jan Kooren said: "We are proud that our active green policy resulted in three fully classed E-KOTUG series of hybrid Rotortugs RT Adriaan, RT Evolution and RT Emotion. The hybrid tugnology provides economic advantages by a very efficient and eco-friendly sailing profile, optimizes working conditions for the crew and minimizes harmful emissions."

The propulsion configuration draws on the design of KOTUG's RT Adriaan - the world's first hybrid Rotortug built under class.

The green results of the E-KOTUG series are said to be a 50 percent reduction of harmful emissions, significant noise reduction, cleaner combustion and substantial maintenance savings thanks to improved fuel economy.

The Rotortug's hybrid capacity is generated by three electric motors, complemented by a battery pack and managed by an intelligent XeroPoint Hybrid Propulsion System.

"Both Damen and KOTUG made a lot of effort to take this step in Hybrid Tug evolution. The result, two beautiful vessels with excellent performance and low emissions and fuel consumption, is something to be proud of," explained Damen Area Manager Benelux Mijndert Wiesenekker.

Both 32-metre hybrid next-generation ART80-32 Rotortugs are new Damen-built tugs and designed by an alliance of Rotortug B.V. in the Netherlands and Robert Allan Ltd in Canada. Evan Willemsen of Rotortug explained: "With the evolved redesign of the Rotortug, the symbol changed from RT into ART: Advanced Rotortug. The numbers 80 and 32 respectively stand for the bollard pulling force and the length of the tug."

The statement added: "The optimised hull shape of the ART80-32 generation Rotortug allows ahead and astern speeds of well over 13 knots. In terms of bollard pull, 84 tonnes over the stern and 82 tonnes over the bow is achieved. The advanced design concept benefits from improved versatility, flexibility, and the ability to respond very quickly to changes in manoeuvring requirements. The end result is a user-friendly, highly responsive tug, with focus on safety.

"Through a process of ongoing development, KOTUG, Rotortug and Damen continue to make major contributions to achieve the 'zero LTI' status. Combining extensive knowledge and experience, all parties strive to provide the best tug for the job. As a result the RT Evolution's and RT Emotion's manoeuvrability, strength and flexibility provide operators a high-level of operational safety under all conditions."