Hybrid propulsion for new container terminal tug

Rolls-Royce is supplying its first hybrid propulsion system to a tugboat with a deal to manufacture a unit for a new vessel being built in the US. This will be installed on the first hybrid tug designed by Jensen Maritime, a subsidiary of Crowley Maritime.

San Francisco, US-headquartered Baydelta Maritime has ordered a hybrid tug with Rolls-Royce systems from Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. This Delta-class harbour tug will be built in Washington state and deployed on the US West Coast to escort and assist a new generation of ultra-large container ships that will be visiting terminals in the region.

This 33 m tug will have bollard pull of up to 90 tonnes, delivered by a set of Rolls-Royce US255 azimuth thrusters, which will have ducted fixed pitch propellers that can be rotated 360˚ around the vertical axis

Jensen has also designed the tug to have accommodation for eight people, and a large wheelhouse with 360˚ of visibility. The tug will also be capable of storing 71,000 gallons of fuel and 4,300 gallons of fresh water.

Rolls-Royce will supply all electric motors, shaft generators and a power management and control system. This hybrid arrangement optimises omnidirectional thrust and manoeuvrability and will improve the tug’s crash stop capability. The tug is expected to be delivered in February 2019.

Baydelta Maritime has Rolls-Royce thrusters on all of its tug fleet. Its tugboat captain Mark Barnum said these thrusters are responsive to manoeuvring requirements. “In San Francisco Bay, container ships can enter at high rates of speed to maintain manoeuvrability,” he commented. “We can go from full ahead to full astern in under 30 seconds. [Rolls-Royce thrusters] also allow us to provide pilots with high tonnage breaks to prevent anything from happening during manoeuvres.”