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Med Marine set to unveil first battery-electric tug
Med Marine expects to launch its first electric-battery tugboat and open a shore power unit in Q2 2024 as it accelerates its decarbonisation strategy
The Turkish shipbuilder and owner developed the VoltRA battery tug design with Robert Allan Ltd to provide harbour towage with zero emissions from its onboard energy storage system.
Med Marine is preparing to launch the first of these VoltRA tugs for its own fleet in May, during the International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards 2024, for which it is a sponsor.
It sees VoltRA and developments in tugboats operating on alternative fuels facilitating the rapid transformation towards greener solutions in the maritime industry, and especially in ports.
As part of this enterprise, Med Marine has also invested in a 10-MW solar plant which is scheduled to open in May 2024 to deliver energy to battery-powered tugs and other vessels.
“We will not only produce eco-friendly vessels, but we will build them with energy sourced from solar energy,” said a Med Marine spokesperson.
“We have invested heavily in VoltRA-series tugs, which can operate fully on battery, or hybrid versions are available depending on client needs.”
Med Marine used its more than 30 years’ experience of operating and building tugboats to collate comprehensive data regarding the complications tugboat operators may face with battery-only vessels.
It is developing options for hybrid propulsion and for vessels using alternative fuels such as methanol, LNG and hydrogen.
“In addition to the VoltRA battery-operated series, we have studied methanol-operated tugs as it is becoming possible with newly developed marine engines.”
Med Marine intends to build more than 25 vessels, mostly tugboats and buoy tenders, in 2024 after delivering 20 vessels throughout 2023.
“Tugs are our core business and we intend to keep it that way,” said the Med Marine spokesperson. “Our clients are in general repeat clients; and we will continue to assist them with their new projects.”
Green solutions for tugboats could include ammonia, hydrogen, fuel cells, LNG and IMO Tier 3-compliant engines with aftertreatment systems, while other technologies being developed cover automation, remote operations and digitalisation.
“There is a prevailing trend that many companies will start to focus in the near future on environmentally safe and greener vessel production,” said Med Marine.
“We have already taken a step forward regarding this growing trend and have led our interest to eco-friendly solutions.”
At the 27th ITS Convention in Dubai, UAE, 21-23 May, Med Marine will host a VIP party on 21 May, when it will launch its first own eco-friendly, battery-electric VoltRA tugboat.
Med Marine is also sponsoring the ITS Tug Owner of the Year Award, which will be presented during the ITS gala dinner on 23 May.
“ITS Convention holds crucial importance for our industry. Our main focus is to communicate with our business partners to strengthen our connections and pave the way for possible new collaborations,” said Med Marine. “Within this scope, ITS is providing a golden opportunity for stakeholders to interact to exchange ideas.”
The 27th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in association with Caterpillar in Dubai, UAE, 21-23 May 2024. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities
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