On 22 September 2015 within the frames of the 13-th International Maritime Exhibition and Conferences of Russia – NEVA 2015, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Damen Shipyards Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding on construction to the RS class of four new ASD 2609 Ice tugs. Two tugs will be built at Damen in China, the other two - in Romania.
According to Mr. Pavel Shikhov, RS Chief Operating Officer, RS has been interacting with Damen since 1999. As of today, the RS-classed fleet comprises over 60 ships built to Damen designs. 15 ships are under construction in Russia and at foreign shipyards: tugs of projects ASD 3010 Ice, ASD 2810 Ice, ASD 2609 Ice, as well as new dredging vessels, projects TSHD 1000 and TSHD 2000.
RS is a recognized expert and the absolute leader in the development of safety standards for ice class ships and icebreakers. Many of the RS-classed ships are suitable for operation in Arctic and other freezing seas. Over 60 per cent of all tugs being built to the RS class have been designed regarding the peculiarities and risks of operation in harsh environmental and ice conditions.