Offshore vessel operator Vallianz Holdings has signed an MoU
with SeaTech Solutions to develop a series of all-electric harbor tugs based on
a clean sheet design. When coupled with a renewable power supply, the
all-electric tug is intended to help owners meet the IMO 2030 and 2050 targets.
The 26-meter tug will be equipped with azimuthing drives,
and it will have a bollard pull of 60 tonnes with a service speed of 12 knots.
It will be fitted with high-capacity electric battery modules to provide it
with enough power and capacity for ship assist work.
Instead of adapting past designs, SeaTech has developed its
“EVT-60” design with a brand-new battery-powered concept. After completing
development of the design for the e-tug, Vallianz intends to use its own
shipyard (the PT United Sindo Perkasa yard in Batam) to market the tug to
potential clients and vessel owners who are interested in building the vessel.
“Technology for electric vessels is available, and the real
challenge is to develop a cost-effective total logistics solution. We target a
capex increase of only 20 percent with lower life cycle costs for this electric
tug," said Govinder Chopra, the director of SeaTech. "The electric
tug lends itself to digitalization and future autonomous operations."
All-electric tugs are just beginning to appear on the global
market, primarily for ship-assist applications where they may return to dock
when needed to recharge. The first in the world, the 32-tonne bollard pull
Zeetug, was built at Turkish yard TK Tuzla and placed in service last year.
Three sister tugs are under construction.
The Port of Auckland has also ordered an all-electric tug
from Damen, and the 70-tonne bollard pull vessel was launched in December.
After conducting an online poll on its naming, the port decided to call it
Sparky. It is scheduled for delivery this year.