Why ports must invest in dedicated tug charging stations 

Tug owners are stuck in a negative loop where investment in onboard batteries is only possible for vessels operating in harbours with available shore power, which is only viable if there are green vessels to charge. Someone needs to be bold and make the first move. 

As delegates that have attended Riviera’s Maritime Hybrid Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference each year in Bergen, Norway, would know, the battery and charging technology is available.  

But the challenges involved producing a feasible and economic business case for the required investment in low-emissions newbuildings, or retrofitting of existing tugs, which is rarely technically viable. 

Costs for a battery powered tug, with around 6 MWh capacity, are double those of a conventional diesel-fuelled tugboat with similar power.  

An economic business case for a newbuild with a large battery package for zero-emissions harbour operations over the 25-plus years of a tugboat’s life would be far easier if vessels could charge cost-effectively within and between ports.  

Tug owners feel they are ready to invest if multiple ports would deploy the charging infrastructure, enough to transfer tugs between ports, and shipping lines and terminals were willing to pay more for low-emissions towage and ship handling. 

Svitzer head of decarbonisation, Gareth Prowse, has used International Tug & Salvage to call on port authorities, governments and terminal operators to invest in dedicated berths and charging stations for tugs, to enable the construction and operation of a new generation of sustainable tugboats.  

It is time ports answer this call, and the industry turns debate into action. They will get the opportunity in May 2025 when Riviera hosts TugTechnogy 25 in Antwerp, Belgium. 

Some ports are forward in offering shore power to vessels, but they are mostly for large container carriers and cruise ships. Others have dedicated charging stations for passenger ferries, but few have installations for tugs, workboats and harbour craft.  

Things are changing, with more emphasis on electrifying harbour vessels. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is tendering for investments in zero-emissions harbour craft and onshore charging stations for them. However, this is still at the planning stage.  

"But ultimately. owners want certainty in technology, power supply, sustainable business and profitability before they can commit" 

In Canada, LNG Canada has installed a charging station for HaiSea Marine’s fleet of battery-powered tugs. In Norway there are plenty of electric supply points for vessels in ports, and the first battery electric tugboat has entered service. There are also charging stations for electric tugs in Turkey where builders are constructing battery-driven tugs for their own fleets and for export, plus a first electric pusher tug in the Netherlands. 

Without charging stations, tug owners have to consider alternatives, such as biofuels and methanol, which has started to build momentum and support lower emissions in harbours. But ultimately. owners want certainty in technology, power supply, sustainable business and profitability before they can commit. Ports must be the driver for change and commit to providing dedicated berths with cost-effective and safe charging stations.