Sembcorp Marine is building the first LNG hybrid tug built and operated in southern Asia for end of year delivery
The harbour tug will be built with gas-powered engines, LNG handling systems and batteries for reduced emissions.
Jurong Marine Services, a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine, will operate this tug with incentives from Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). It is scheduled to undertake sea trials during Q4 2020.
ABB’s electric propulsion, power, energy storage, control and automation technology will be installed on the tug, the first tug application of ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power and distribution system.
ABB will also supply 904 kWh of battery power for zero-emissions operations, peak shaving and onboard electricity utilisation.
“This is a breakthrough in the tug market for ABB’s energy storage technologies and a strong validation of Onboard DC Grid for power management efficiency for hybrid propulsion,” said ABB Marine & Ports managing director Juha Koskela. “Future-proofing for a different energy mix makes particular sense for tugs and other port service vessels, as the most likely candidates to face imminent environmental restrictions.”
Onboard DC Grid overcomes the challenges faced by tug owners with having gas-fuelled engines on their vessels. It manages the fast-changing load capabilities demanded by tugs enabling engines to run at variable speeds for optimised LNG fuel economy at each load level.
Additionally, integrating energy storage means the batteries will be able to provide power to the tug’s propulsion system almost instantaneously.
LNG engines will not have to be tied to a fixed speed against dynamic loads, and can provide energy at variable revolutions, further enhancing efficiency, responsiveness and sustainability of tug operations.
ABB’s scope of supply also includes the direct current drives for the power take-in and take-off variable speed shaft generator, which integrates with the energy storage battery.
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