Table of Contents
During the International Tug and Salvage Conference (ITS) held in Gothenburg, Damen Shipyards Group formalized a contract with Alfons Håkans for the supply of an ASD Tug 3413 ICE tugboat. This agreement consolidates the commercial relationship between both family-owned firms and addresses the need to strengthen maritime operations under severe winter conditions.
The ASD Tug 3413 ICE Tugboat and Its Capabilities in the Baltic Sea
Alfons Håkans operates strategic towing, salvage, and icebreaking services in Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. The decision to acquire this new model is based on the optimal performance of the sister vessel Victoria, currently operated by the Port of Luleå, and on previous experience with the ASD Tug 3010 ICE model acquired in 2019.
According to Captain Joakim Håkans, head of the family business, positive reports on ice operability and the shipbuilder’s after-sales support were decisive in proceeding with the order. Direct evaluations between port crews confirmed the design’s reliability in high-demand scenarios.
Regarding design specifications, the ASD Tug 3413 ICE is developed to withstand adverse weather conditions in open and port waters. The structure features a reinforced hull under the Finnish-Swedish standard BV Ice Class 1-A SUPER, constructed with high-strength steel ranging from 10 to 24 millimeters in thickness.
It also features a special coating that tolerates temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius, complemented by heating systems in railings, windows, and deck floors. The winch is located in a frost-protected area within the wheelhouse to ensure constant operability of bow and stern maneuvers.
Regarding the propulsion system, the vessel incorporates open counter-rotating stainless steel Steerprop SP60CRP thrusters. This mechanism combines the maneuverability advantages of azimuthal systems with the efficiency of CRP technology. As a result, the tugboat generates a bollard pull exceeding 70 tons, ensuring safe performance in the most complex maritime environments of northern Europe.
The vessel’s availability was expedited thanks to the shipyard’s series construction system, as the unit was completed at the Damen Song Cam facilities in Vietnam. Corporate painting and customized modifications according to the operator’s requirements are currently being executed.
The vessel will begin its positioning voyage to Finland in June, with arrival estimated for September 2026. Martin Verstraaten, regional sales director for the shipbuilder, mentioned the cultural affinity between both corporations as a key factor in the efficiency of the commercial process and expressed confidence in the unit’s positive impact on the fleet by year-end.
Source and photo: Damen