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Svitzer selects electric TRAnsverse tugs for future port operations
Svitzer head of innovation and group operations, Thomas Bangslund, explained why one of the world’s largest tug owners chose the electrification route for newbuildings
Svitzer sees an electric future for harbour tugs and expects to operate more battery-powered TRAnsverse tugs in the future.
The Danish shipowner anticipates adding electric tugs to its global operations in the coming years as part of its ongoing fleet renewal programme.
Svitzer head of innovation and group operations, Thomas Bangslund, explained why one of the world’s largest tug owners chose the electrification route for newbuildings during a video interview at Riviera’s 28th ITS Convention in Gothenburg, on 19 May.
He said green electricity is becoming more abundant, enabling Svitzer to invest in electric tugs, built to the TRAnsverse design that it developed in collaboration with ship designer Robert Allan Ltd.
Mr Bangslund said electrification technology was maturing, and battery prices are expected to decrease in the coming years.
“Battery-electric tugs will become more capable of a wider range of operations ... and at a cost-effective level,” he said.
“The TRAnsverse design is a way of getting the most capability out of the equipment we purchase,” Mr Bangslund added.
More than three-quarters of Svitzer’s current newbuild programme involves TRAnsverse tugs, reflecting the owner’s confidence in the design.
Three are in operation at present, including Svitzer Taurus in the Netherlands and two in Newcastle, Australia.
Svitzer has four newbuilds in advanced stages of construction at Cheoy Lee Shipyards in China and has contracted Cochin Shipyard in India to build four electric TRAnsverse tugs.
Its first electric tug, Svitzer Ingrid, was deployed in the Port of Helsingborg, Sweden, in H2 2025 to operate in the Sound between Denmark and Sweden.
This 25-m tugboat was built by Sanmar Shipyards to Robert Allan Ltd’s ElectRA 2500SX design, with a 13-m beam, a draught of 5 m and a FiFi1 firefighting capability.
Svitzer Ingrid has a battery capacity of 1,808 kWh, supplied by Corvus Energy, backed up by generators to drive two Schottel azimuth thrusters, to achieve a bollard pull of 70 tonnes.
Riviera will host TUGTECHNOLOGY ‘27 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 19-20 May 2027. Use this link for more information and to register.
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