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Svitzer orders first battery-methanol tug for Swedish port
One of the world’s largest tug owners is investing in the first battery-methanol escort-class tug to support ships in a leading Scandinavian port
Svitzer has contracted Turkish shipbuilder Uzmar Shipyard to build a first-of-its-kind battery-methanol tug for delivery in H2 2025.
This 35-m tug will be built to Svitzer and Robert Allan Ltd’s innovative TRAnsverse tug design with a 6-MWh energy storage system supported by dual-fuel methanol engines for back-up and to extend its range.
Svitzer expects this escort-duty tug to conduct more than 90% of its operations using its battery-electric powertrain and conduct up to 25% of the Danish company’s work in the port of Gothenburg.
This tug will deliver 85 tonnes of bollard pull ahead and utilise escort steering and braking forces rated at 150 tonnes and 200 tonnes, respectively, measured at 10 knots.
Svitzer said its TRAnsverse tug design would enable the battery-powered tug to operate more efficiently than internal combustion engine-powered tugs of a traditional design. The 806-gt tug will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 14 knots.
“The launch of a first-of-its-kind newbuild project with our partners at Uzmar Shipyard is a significant milestone for our decarbonisation ambitions,” said Svitzer head of decarbonisation, Gareth Prowse.
“The battery-electric tug will mean we can deliver our services to customers in the Port of Gothenburg with significantly lower carbon emissions, and still to the highest operational and safety standards.”
Continuing developments in alternative power technologies convinced Svitzer the combination of battery power and methanol engines would ensure both safe, efficient and reliable operations in a location which offers these two power sources.
“Applications for battery solutions are constantly expanding, and we see it becoming an important power option in the sustainability transition,” said Svitzer chief executive Kasper Nilaus.
“With an aim to become the world’s most sustainable port, the Port of Gothenburg was considered the perfect location for this new tug,” he continued.
“The port is making significant investments to provide the necessary shore power charging options, and methanol is already being bunkered at the port. As such, Gothenburg has all the ingredients for safe and stable operation of the tug for many years to come.”
Uzmar has had a close partnership with Svitzer for building escort-class tugs with two built for the UK market in the past 18 months, including Svitzer Estelle, which started operating in the Port of London in Q4 2023 and is working out of Sheerness, Kent, according to automatic identification system data.
The Turkish shipyard is already building TRAnsverse design tugs for Svitzer Australia for delivery in 2025, after securing that contract in 2023.
“Our close working partnership with Svitzer on planning and developing this newbuild project will see our shipyard deliver one of the most advanced tugs in the global fleet using new technologies and specifications,” said Uzmar chief executive A Noyan Altug.
“We recognise the importance of reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector, and are fully aligned with Svitzer’s ambitious decarbonisation strategy. This project represents a significant step forward in that journey. We are helping to shape the future of green maritime operations.”
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