Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) to supply two ASD Tugs 3212. This agreement was revealed at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026 in Qatar.

Support for Auxiliary Fleet

This order follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that Damen and the QENF signed at DIMDEX 2024, aimed at delivering auxiliary vessels. The two tugs are being built at the Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.

Thanks to the strong cooperation between the parties and Damen’s dedication, construction of the tugs began earlier than expected. One tug is already in progress and will be delivered later this year. In December, Damen and QENF representatives celebrated the keel-laying ceremony for the second tug, which is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2027.

Harbour and Offshore Functions

The ASD Tug 3212 measures 32.7 meters in length with a width of 12.82 meters. It can achieve a bollard pull of 82.4 tonnes when moving forward and 77.4 tonnes when moving backward. Damen designed this vessel to excel in rough waters and provide excellent maneuverability.

To ensure that the tugs can effectively support the QENF fleet both in ports and at sea, Damen is equipping them with various features. This includes an aft winch, a deck crane, and Fi-Fi1 firefighting capabilities.

Long-standing Partnership

Damen has had a long-standing relationship with the QENF, having delivered the first vessels—six PolyCats 1450—back in 1980. In 2010, they provided two Stan Tugs (STu) 1907, and in 2022, another two STu 1606.

In addition to delivering the tugs, Damen is also offering the QENF comprehensive support, including simulation training for operating the vessels in the Netherlands, on-site training in Qatar, and a five-year maintenance and spare parts package.

Jan-Jaap Eits, Regional Sales Director for the Middle East at Damen, stated, “Damen is proud to receive this latest order from the Qatar Emiri Navy. Our relationship has lasted over 40 years, and we are confident that these two ASD Tugs 3212 will be beneficial for the Qatari fleet. We look forward to continuing our support during their operational phase.”