Two zero-emission sister tugs are currently being delivered from the Port of Tuzla on the cargo ship ‘BBC Emerald’ to Vancouver where they will become the first electric tugs operated by SAAM Towage, named ‘Saam Volta’ and ‘Chief Dan George’.
Based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2300SX design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd (RAL), the vessels are powered by two Li-ion battery banks, making them 100% electric, zero-emission vessels.
Measuring 23.4m overall, with an 11.85m beam and 5.5m maximum draught, the tugs can achieve 70t bollard pull, while at full capacity each reducing CO2 emissions by 2,600t per year. In a move that further increases green credentials, the tugs will be charged using clean energy from the British Columbia power grid.
SAAM Towage operates in South, Central and North America, including at nine ports in British Columbia. Sanmar, RAL and SAAM Towage have worked closely at every stage of the project.
SAAM Towage’s Engineering and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres, said the tugs: “Represent the way to advance towards more sustainable operations and move our business into the future.”
Ruchan Civgin, Commercial Director, Sanmar Shipyards, said: “Our ElectRA Series represents a major advance in the drive to reduce the impact that our industry has on the environment. I am proud that Sanmar is leading the way to a sustainable environmentally-aware towage industry. As you can imagine, with the need to protect our planet increasingly at the top of both business and regulatory agendas, our Tugs of the Future are attracting a lot of interest from operators around the world.”
