Sanmar Shipyards joined forces with naval architects Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) to develop and custom-build two electric-powered tugs for SAAM Towage’s harbour operations
These are the first of a new generation of environmentally friendly emissions-free tugboats, based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2300SX design from RAL.
SAAM Towage signed the contracts for both tugs during Riviera Maritime Media’s 26th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards week, in Istanbul, Turkey, which followed a steel-cutting ceremony at Sanmar’s shipyard, 25 September.
The agreement was signed by SAAM Towage Canada president Alexander Bikkers, SAAM Towage managing director Hernan Gomez, Sanmar Shipyards chairman Ali Gurun and vice chairman Cem Seven.
Both tugs will have Corvus Energy batteries of a combined 3,616 kWh power capacity, bollard pull of around 70 tonnes and will be deployed in western Canada when completed in 2023.
Their addition to SAAM Towage’s fleet is part of the group’s plans to use more sustainably powered and powerful tugs in its Canadian fleet.
“Together, we are creating a milestone for our company and for Canada, with our first two electric tugs, and accelerating our voyage into sustainability and carbon-footprint reduction,” said Mr Gomez.
“This is part of our innovation strategy and the way we want to project SAAM Towage in all the countries where we currently operate and the ones to come.”
RAL developed the ElectRAs 2300SX design to accommodate a large battery capacity and enable tugs to achieve a high bollard pull. This naval architecture has a flush deck design and machinery space for the energy storage systems and backup diesel generators.
“We are pleased to be working with Sanmar and SAAM Towage to develop a new series of cleaner tugs that will be optimised to meet future operational needs,” said RAL president Mike Fitzpatrick.
“Having both the shipyard and owner actively participating in the design process right from the beginning of a project is a recipe for success.”
Sanmar has been a long-term partner of SAAM Towage and has delivered seven tugboats to the owner in the past two years.
“This project is a major step forward in the drive to reduce the impact our industry has on the environment with the development of low and no-emissions tugs,” said Sanmar commercial director Ruchan Civgin.
Sanmar signed a co-operation agreement with Corvus Energy at Riviera’s TUGTECHNOLOGY in October 2021, paving the way for batteries to be installed on new tugboats.
Together, these companies will establish a path for the future supply of batteries and fuel-cell technology for a range of electric and hybrid tugs.
Corvus Energy senior vice president for commercial product management Kjetil Dent Tranberg will be presenting the latest battery technologies at Riviera Maritime Media’s annual Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference returns to Bergen, Norway, 25-27 October 2022. Use this link to access more details and to register to attend
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