Two DP2 multi-purpose offshore support tugs under construction in the UAE for deepwater Gulf of Mexico operations
With demand rising for high-capability offshore support vessels, Damen and Alewijnse have marked the start of construction on two advanced multi-purpose tugs destined for deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
The DP2 offshore support tugs are under construction at Damen Albwardy in the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with Chomex Marino and Woodside. Upon delivery, they will be deployed in deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
At the end of March 2026, a steel cutting ceremony took place, marking a major milestone and officially kicking off the construction phase of these ultra-powerful vessels. The new vessels are the largest offshore tugboats that Alewijnse has worked on to date and the first of their kind for Damen. When complete, they will be 67 metres in length, have a maximum beam of 18 metres, a bollard pull of 120 tonnes both ahead and astern, and 250m² of free deck space.
Designed for exceptional seakeeping and strong DP2-performance in severe offshore conditions, the vessels will be capable of safely handling mooring lines and cargo hoses, hose maintenance, tanker assistance during tandem offloading operations, ROV deployment, standby services, oil spill response as well as a wide range of supply and replenishment missions such as crew and bulk cargo transfers.
Thanks to their high towing capacity and excellent manoeuvrability, the offshore tugboats will be ideally suited for offshore energy and maritime construction projects in the oil and gas sector. Their size will enable safe and efficient operations while their impact on the environment will be minimised thanks to their electric propulsion capabilities.
Alewijnse’s contribution to the project includes responsibility for engineering and integrating electrical and other systems, such as Van Meer’s multi-drive propulsion system, as well as constructing switchboards and commissioning the systems. Engineering work is already well underway and construction is scheduled to start this spring. Delivery is expected in Q4 2027.
Damen selected Alewijnse as its electrical partner for their extensive expertise in complex system integration and their international presence. Alewijnse can provide support during the engineering and construction phases in the Middle East, as well as global project development and lifecycle services, including warranty support in Mexico.
Alewijnse Account Manager Dumitru Poperesniuc commented: “Alewijnse has been a long-term partner of Damen, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, for decades, contributing to the construction of a wide range of advanced tugs and workboats. Our strategic collaboration began in Galați, Romania, and has since expanded globally with projects in Qatar, China, and now Vietnam and the UAE.
Past examples include various azimuth stern drive tugs, reversed stern drive tugs (a patented innovation developed by Damen), and various hybrid and electric tugs. These provide equal performance manoeuvring fore and aft, not only improving escort stability but also reducing fuel consumption and emissions.”
Market prospects remain strong with offshore operators in the Middle East and the Americas actively commissioning similar vessels. Comparable orders are currently being placed at shipyards in China and Turkey, reflecting sustained global demand for these offshore support tugs that are well suited for a wide range of maritime infrastructure and offshore construction projects.
“These prototypes reflect what is possible when strong engineering capability and strategic partnerships come together. In close cooperation with Damen, Alewijnse is shaping efficient and future-ready vessel concepts that are opening the doors to a broader range of advanced variants,” concludes Dumitru Poperesniuc.
