Sanmar Shipyards has signalled its intent to build all-electric and hybrid tugs in Turkey following an agreement with a battery manufacturer
It signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Corvus Energy to jointly develop a range of harbour tugs with lower or zero emissions based on designs by Canadian naval architects at Robert Allan Ltd.
The agreement, signed during a European Tugowners Association meeting held in Turku, Finland, enables the two companies to jointly explore and establish a route to supply and integrate energy storage systems and fuel-cell technology for cost-effective electric and hybrid tugs.
Under the MoU, Corvus Energy will be responsible for battery and fuel-cell technology, dimensioning and advice on battery room design, power system and fuel interfaces.
This series will be based on Robert Allan designs for tugs with bollard pulls between 30 and 70 tonnes.
“Sanmar is focused on moving forward with pioneering technologies that contribute significantly to our customers’ and society’s march towards a greener and sustainable future,” said Sanmar commercial director Ruchan Civgin.
“Corvus Energy is leading the way in how energy storage systems are used by continuously developing new technology and exploring ever-newer ways of using energy storage to optimise energy consumption and reduce cost,” he added.
“The MoU we have signed with Corvus Energy draws on both our considerable strengths as leaders, pioneers and innovators in our respective fields, to accelerate the path towards much needed, cost-effective and efficient future-ready battery and hybrid tugs, still further.”
Sanmar and Corvus Energy plan to sign the full co-operation agreement during Riviera Maritime Media’s TugTechnology 2021 conference, set to be held on 25-26 October, in London, UK.
“The tug and workboat market is an important one and a big part of our future growth strategy,” said Corvus Energy senior vice president for ship solutions Ronald Hansen. “Battery and fuel-cell technology is especially advantageous for workboat and tugs as their operational profile is highly variable. This MoU with Sanmar will help accelerate the development and increase availability of more efficient zero- and low-emission tugs,” Mr Hansen added.
Corvus Energy has supplied batteries to more than 450 projects, totalling over 350 MWh and more than 3.5M operating hours.
Sanmar builds tugs at its two custom-built shipyards at Tuzla and Altinova in Turkey, including LNG-fuelled and hydraulic-hybrid tugs to Robert Allan Ltd designs.
Turkey is already a leader in designing, building and operating electric-driven tugs with the world’s first, Gisas Power, manoeuvring ships in a Turkish dockyard.
Gisas Power was built at TK Tuzla Shipyard to Zeetug30 design and delivered at the end of 2019. It has 18.7-m overall length and 6.7 m beam.
Learn about the latest in clean propulsion technology at Riviera Maritime Media’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference in Bergen, Norway, 18-20 October
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.