Svitzer plans first Australian electric-powered harbour tugs

Svitzer has an agreement with a shipyard in India to build a series of TRAnsverse design tugs with battery modules on board for delivery in 2027 and 2028, of which two could be deployed in Melbourne.

Port of Melbourne chief executive, Saul Cannon, said the collaboration with Svitzer reflects a shared ambition to improve port efficiency while accelerating the sector’s transition to lower‑emissions operations.

“Efficient, reliable towage services are critical to the smooth functioning of the port, and electrification offers the potential to improve both operational performance and environmental outcomes,” he said.

“Through this MoU, we are exploring what it will take to bring the next generation of electric towage to Melbourne in a way that benefits port users, reduces emissions and supports a more sustainable future.”

Plexar chief executive and a partner at CIP, Karsten Plauborg, said the partnership with Port of Melbourne and Svitzer could involve micro power grids and artificial intelligence to optimise energy use and support electrification.

“We are grateful to our visionary partners and look forward to demonstrating how Plexar’s solutions, electrical engineering expertise and the direct use of onsite electricity generation can both optimise costs and increase power availability,” said Mr Plauborg.

The MoU was signed at the Port of Melbourne in the presence of the king and queen of Denmark, who were on a state visit to Australia.

“Transitioning port operations to cleaner, more efficient technologies is a shared challenge,” said Mr Cannon. “Collaborations like this help us build the partnerships and capability needed to deliver meaningful progress for the sector and for Victoria.”

Svitzer already operates tugs with hybrid propulsion involving battery modules in Australia, with a fleet of escort tugs supporting gas carriers at Chevron’s Gorgon LNG production and export plant. In 2025, Svitzer replaced the batteries on four 33-m azimuth stern-drive tugs to provide higher capacity and faster charging, enabling increased electric propulsion at the terminal in Barrow Island in Western Australia.