Turkish tugboat builder Sanmar Shipyards has signed a contract with Svitzer to construct a fully electric tug, marking a step towards greener marine services in Scandinavia it claimed.
The contract involves the construction of a tugboat, boasting an 1,818kWh battery pack and a 70 tonne bollard pull (TBP) capacity.
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Based on the ElectRA 2500-SX design by naval architecture firm Robert Allan, the vessel will have an overall length of 25.4m.
It will be equipped with a 5.6m draft and a 12.86m beam, ensuring safe operations solely on electrical power, stated Sanmar.
Additionally, it will feature two generators for backup, prolonged endurance, and firefighting capabilities.
Set to be constructed at Sanmar’s “environmentally-friendly” shipyards in Turkey, the tug is expected to be delivered in the latter half of 2025.
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By GlobalDataSvitzer Scandinavia managing director Mathias Jonasson said: “In recent years, we have experienced an increasing demand for green towage services in Scandinavia, including the Sound.
“At the same time, we have committed to doing our part to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the industry by 2030. Getting a new battery tug solves both challenges as we can continue to provide reliable and safe services to our customers while reducing the carbon footprint.”
ElectRA tugs, ranging from 19m to 28m and having a power output of 40-85TBP, are the result of Sanmar’s collaboration with Robert Allan and Corvus Energy to develop low and no-emission tugs using alternative fuels and advanced technology.
These ElectRA Series tugs, often referred to as the “Tugs of the Future” by maritime media, are now operational across North America, Latin America, and Europe.
Sanmar Shipyards research and development (R&D) and electrical systems director Tamer Geckin said: “We are delighted to support Svitzer in decarbonising their fleet and building this new high-performing battery tug.
“It will have all the quality characteristics expected from a premium tug built at Sanmar Shipyards; a big, power-efficient battery powers it.”
Earlier this month, Italian shipping group Scafi received its second multi-purpose tugboat, Titan, from Sanmar Shipyards.
Titan joins its sister vessel at Rijeka, Croatia, as part of a two-tug contract for Scafi’s Croatian subsidiary, Jadranski Pomorski Servis.
