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Award-winning tug supports Hong Kong’s green marine fuel bunkering
The winner of International Tug & Salvage’s Tug of the Year 2025 Award is one of two high-bollard pull LNG-fuelled terminal tugboats supporting a giant FSRU in Hong Kong
One of the most powerful LNG dual-fuel harbour tugs ever built was the winner of International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Tug of the Year 2025 Award, sponsored by Bureau Veritas. LNG Sentinel I received this award at a prestigious industry gala dinner in Antwerp, Belgium, in May.
It is owned by Boluda Towage affiliate Hongkong Salvage & Towage Services (HKSTS), designed by Robert Allan Ltd and built by Cheoy Lee Shipyards in China.
For HKSTS chief executive Angelina Lei, this award recognises the company’s strategy to operate vessels on low-emissions fuels. It also owns sister tugboat LNG Sentinel II in Hong Kong.
“The award exemplifies our commitment to pioneering green technologies that are transforming Hong Kong’s maritime sector,” she said. “These vessels showcase operational excellence and are integral to our commitment to sustainability.”
Both tugs were designed to service and safeguard the world’s largest floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and the Hong Kong Offshore LNG terminal by providing year-round patrol and traffic surveillance and carrying out oil spill control, fire-fighting and rapid evacuation in the event of an emergency. They also help LNG carriers berth at the FSRU and terminal.
Hong Kong’s director of marine, Wong Sai-fat, congratulated HKSTS on receiving the award which he said was “an important milestone in maritime innovation, affirming the local marine industry’s commitment to switching to green marine fuels to reduce carbon emissions.”
He said it is part of the Hong Kong government’s action plan to increase green marine fuel bunkering.
“The government will continue to collaborate with industry partners to develop Hong Kong into the region’s preferred high-quality green maritime fuel bunkering centre, enhance its status as a green-friendly port and to establish an organic and symbiotic green fuel trading centre,” said Mr Wong.
LNG Sentinel I and LNG Sentinel II each has an advanced LNG-diesel electric propulsion system, which enables a 25% reduction in storage space while being equipped with four highly efficient generators that provide a maximum bollard pull of 115 tonnes.
“This configuration ensures enhanced stability and operational efficiency, even in adverse weather conditions,” said HKSTS.
Both 42-m tugs were built to Robert Allan’s RAstar 4200-DF design, with a top speed of 14 knots.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in association with Caterpillar in Gothenburg, Sweden, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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