Svitzer invests in the green future of Scandinavian towage

Svitzer, one of the world’s largest harbour tug owners, is preparing to welcome the world’s first battery-methanol escort tug, Svitzer Balder, in the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden, after its construction by Uzmar Shipyard in Turkey.

Svitzer managing director for Scandinavia and Germany, Mathias Jonasson, is looking forward to welcoming this 35-m tugboat to the port in Q3 2026, where it will have a dedicated berth and charging station.

Svitzer already has limited experience in operating tugs with electric and hybrid propulsion, including 2025-built Svitzer Ingrid in Sweden.

The Danish owner has become a technology pioneer in integrating batteries with a methanol fuel system on the escort tug.

Mr Jonasson was interviewed in front of Svitzer Ingrid, the company’s first fully electric tugboat, during the Tug Presentation Technical Tour at Svitzer’s offices outside Gothenburg, on 21 May, which was part of Riviera’s 28th ITS Convention.

“Svitzer is to taking its fair share of responsibility to decarbonise the shipping industry,” Mr Jonasson said.

Svitzer has invested in a training simulator at these offices to support tug masters in adapting to use the TRAnsverse tug when they are experienced in using azimuth stern drive or tractor tugs.

Svitzer Balder was built to a TRAnsverse 3500 design, developed by Robert Allan Ltd in conjunction with Svitzer, and it completed sea trials in early April before sailing to the Swedish port.

ABS-class Svitzer Balder has 88 tonnes of bollard pull and over 150 tonnes of steering force, enabling it to undertake heavy-duty escort and handling of large tankers calling at the port.

It has a 6,000-kWh battery system supplied by AYK Energy, two 350-kW Scandinaos methanol gensets, and a 2,000-kW Everllence-manufactured diesel genset to power two Kongsberg Maritime ice-class, 2,680-kW azimuth thrusters and deck machinery.

Svitzer Balder won the Bureau Veritas-sponsored ITS Tug of the Year Award 2026, and executive representatives from Svitzer, Robert Allan and Uzmar received the award during the gala dinner.