The Netherlands' water management authority Rijkswaterstaat has selected three consortia to proceed to the next phase of its Power2Tow tender, which aims to develop three virtually emission-free Emergency Response Towing Vessels (ERTVs) for North Sea operations.

The selected consortia — Kustkracht, Multraship Ocean Towage, and Smit Terminals Europe & Smit Salvage — will be invited to submit initial bids for the project, which includes developing associated charging infrastructure both onshore and at sea, along with a 25-year service period.

The new generation ERTVs will be largely powered by electricity to reduce CO₂ emissions, according to Rijkswaterstaat. During emergency towing operations, the vessels will switch from electric propulsion to green methanol produced from biomass or captured CO₂ combined with green hydrogen.

ERTVs are deployed along the Dutch coast to tow ships in distress during storms or technical problems, either to safe locations or to hold them in position.

The project requires development of charging infrastructure that is not yet readily available in the North Sea market, Rijkswaterstaat notes.

Christa Kempenaar, Director of the Fleet Renewal Program at Rijkswaterstaat, commented: "For Power2Tow to succeed, it is crucial that we seek collaboration with shipyards, port authorities, wind farms, and other market players such as technical developers and business service providers. We desperately need each other's knowledge and innovative capacity to accelerate the sustainability of shipping."

The tender will be conducted through an innovation partnership, which Rijkswaterstaat says will ensure a faster process. If development proceeds as planned, the authority can move directly to awarding contracts for construction and operation without a new tendering procedure.

The Kustkracht consortium comprises Kotug International, IHC Defence, and Bluewater Energy Services. The Multraship consortium includes Multraship Ocean Towage, Damen Shipbuilding & Cooperation, and Stillstrom, whilst the third consortium consists of Smit Terminals Europe and Smit Salvage.

Each selected consortium will submit two proposals in the coming months for realisation and associated services. The next step in the tender process will take place in mid-2026, when Rijkswaterstaat will select the consortia admitted to the research and development phase.

Power2Tow is being implemented by Rijkswaterstaat's Fleet Renewal Program Directorate, which focuses on developing sustainable ships for the Rijksrederij (National Shipping Company).

The project is a joint initiative of Rijkswaterstaat, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Directorate-General for Civil Aviation and Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, and the Coastguard.

Funding comes partly from the European Recovery and Resilience Plan and aligns with government measures being implemented with the sector under the Sector Agenda for the Maritime Manufacturing Industry.