Third new Damen tug taken into service by Kotug Smit Towage

Kotug Smit Towage has taken the newly-built Damen ATD 2412 Twin Fin tug Buffalo into service for its European harbour towage activities.

The Buffalo is the third tug that Damen has built for Kotug Smit Towage, following the tugs Rotterdam and Southampton. The ATD 2412 Twin Fin tug has a length of 25 metres, a width of 13 metres and with her 72 tonne bollard pull, she combines compactness with manoeuvrability. She is the fifth ATD 2412 Twin Fin in the Kotug Smit Towage fleet and joins over 20 Damen vessels operated by the company.

Kotug Smit Towage selected Damen for high performance and short delivery time. The characteristics of this tug match the fleet of tugs Kotug Smit Towage is currently operating and fit perfectly into its European harbour towage operations. Recently, the Buffalo commenced her harbour towage activities in the Port of Southampton.

David Slater, Kotug Smit Towage Commercial Area Manager United Kingdom, stated, “We welcome the Buffalo in the Port of Southampton to assist all types of vessels of our customers. We are pleased that the Buffalo will complement our existing fleet of tugs to respond to the continuing customer demands.”

Damen Regional Sales Director Mijndert Wiesenekker said, “I congratulate Kotug Smit Towage on the long-term view they take, investing in timely fleet renewal in order to keep their operations at the high standard for which they are known. We at Damen are very happy to be a part of this and wish Kotug Smit Towage all the best with the Buffalo.”

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