Multraship Towage & Salvage christened its newest tug, MULTRATUG 36, on Friday afternoon, November 1, 2024. The ceremony coincided with the company’s 40th anniversary.

Jacqueline Pey, wife of Multraship’s senior commercial manager Chris Pey, did the honors and wished the tug and her crew safe voyages.

Since 1984
The christening coincides with the 40th anniversary of Multraship, which was founded in 1984 by the Muller family to provide specialized towing and salvage services. The Muller family has been active in shipping for over 250 years and has been involved in towing and salvage operations since 1911.

The MULTRATUG 36 is the last of an order for three tugs that Multraship has placed with Damen to further expand its fleet. The MULTRATUG 34 and MULTRATUG 35 preceded her. The former is now working in Oman.

IMO Tier III
The MULTRATUG 36 is a 32-metre long tugboat, which with a maximum bollard pull of 89.5 tonnes is very well equipped for deep-sea and coastal towing, salvage and other operations. The vessel is a Damen ASD Tug 3212, which has been adapted to the high standards and requirements that Multraship sets for its vessels. For example, the Tier III sustainability requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are met by the use of Damen’s in-house developed Marine NOX Reduction system. The system reduces nitrogen emissions by 80 percent compared to Tier II requirements.

In addition, Damen has equipped the tugboat with FiFi-1 firefighting systems and the MULTRATUG 36 is better equipped for anchor handling and offshore operations. Finally, the accommodation has been upgraded with extra insulation to provide more comfort for the crew.

Artificial energy island
One of the projects that the tug and sister ship MULTRATUG 35 will support in the coming period is the Princess Elisabeth Island project, the world’s first artificial energy island. This island will be located 24 nautical miles off the Belgian coast and will play a crucial role in Belgium’s energy transition.

“For this project, we are responsible for towing the caissons from Vlissingen to the island,” explains Leendert Muller, managing director of Multraship. “Each caisson is 57 meters long, 30 meters wide and 30 meters high and forms a building block for the structure of the island.” Longest immersed tunnel in the world
Another major project that the new acquisition is likely to be involved in is the Fehmarnbelt project. This is Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel. The 18.2-kilometre tunnel connects Denmark and Germany and is expected to open in 2029. Multraship is supplying seven vessels for the project.

Damen Sales Director Benelux Mijndert Wiesenekker: “On behalf of Damen, we congratulate Multraship on their new vessel and thank them for once again placing their trust in Damen. We are confident that the MULTRATUG 36 will be a great addition to the Multraship fleet.”

(Source: Rick van de Weg)