When the Port of Antwerp-Bruges officially launched Volta 1, Europe’s first fully electric tug, on 19 May 2025, the launch was a milestone in the maritime industry’s transition towards sustainability. Philippa Langton, partner at LA Marine, and Gavin Fernandes, trainee solicitor with Lester Aldridge, have a look at the implications.
Designed by Damen Shipyards Group, who are pioneering green technology having produced the world’s first electric tug, Sparky, in 2022, Volta 1 is a Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tug. This is where the stern of the boat is shaped like the bow, which allows the tug to perform towing or pushing operations effectively in both directions providing remarkable manoeuvrability.
The tug is powered by batteries capable of fully recharging in just two hours via a 1.5MW charging station and is capable of performing two towage operations on a single charge, addressing concerns as to the limitations of electric workboats.
This initiative complements previous projects such as the Hydrotug - the world’s first hydrogen-powered tug; and the Methatug - a methanol-powered tug. Together, these efforts demonstrate the port of Antwerp-Bruges’ proactive approach to integrating alternative fuels and technologies into its operations. The port is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
As well as vessels using more energy-efficient fuel sources, ship builders and designers are making a conscious effort when thinking about the materials used for the body of vessels.
We attended Southampton’s Seawork commercial marine exhibition in June, to which Damen Shipyards Group brought their HDPE Workboat 1003 Console, a sturdy and adaptable workboat made entirely from recyclable materials.
Even with this environmentally conscious focus, it has powerful horsepower capabilities. The engineers were quick to share how the vessel had reached speeds of 42 knots during trial runs the evening before.
The successful deployment of Volta 1 serves as an example to other ports aiming to reduce their environmental footprint. It is a signpost of the maritime industry heading towards greener practices. A step in the right direction has already been taken by the UK with initiatives such as Uber’s Orbit Clipper – a people carrier soon to be launched in the River Thames; the Electric Orkney project’s Zevi 1 – an electric ferry now beginning its three-year trial period; and Newcastle University’s research vessel, Princess Royal, which successfully trialled a hybrid hydrogen and battery propulsion system.
Legal Implications
Developments in sustainable practice are shaping the maritime industry’s interactions with the law.
In the last couple of years, we have seen regulations pertaining to green shipping corridors – shipping routes only allowing for low-emission vessels, updates on fuel standards to help with carbon emissions – an example being the FuelEU’s Maritime Regulation and the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan, which enables grant schemes for projects like Zevi 1, Orbit Clipper and Princess Royal.
With the launch of Volta 1 and other such vessels, we are likely to see shifts in the following areas:
Maritime Contract Rewording and Standard Clauses
Contracts, such as charterparties, used within the sector need to be drafted with particular care where electric vessels are in play. This may necessitate a review of standard wording that currently does not accommodate electric vessels and their specific risks and requirements.
For example, when an electric tug is operated under a contract dictated by United Kingdom Standard Conditions for Towage, a standard provision referencing ‘unfitness or breakdown by reason of lack of fuel’ will need to be adapted to ensure that a breakdown via battery charging or battery charge depletion are accounted for.
Regulations
These developments in new fuels and technologies are being accompanied by new laws and regulations and workboat operators need to ensure that their contracts are kept updated to reflect new requirements.
The UK’s Workboat Code is regularly updated to reflect industry developments and now includes regulations related to electric propulsion.
Additionally, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is expected to be expanded to include domestic maritime emissions starting from 2026. This is likely to have a major impact on workboat operators and parties should be thinking ahead now to ensure that contracts contain provisions dealing with, for example, which party will bear the associated costs, responsibility for reporting and monitoring requirements and liability for any penalties for non-compliance.
Port health and safety
Other ports will likely face commercial pressures to follow Port Antwerp-Bruges innovation and improve facilities and infrastructure for alternative fuels. From a legal perspective, it is important to consider health and safety implications.
Health and Safety at Work Regulations impose on ports a duty of care to take all reasonable and practical measures to ensure the safety of employees and the public. This means that a port must plan to control all work activities that may put people, property or the environment at risk.
Alternative fuels come with new, often higher, risks and safety concerns. When implementing, maintaining and operating new alternative fuel stations for bunkering and refuelling, ports will need to ensure appropriate risk assessments are taken, recorded and updated accordingly and appropriate training given to personnel, as well as ensuring that vessels using the facilities are aware of and comply with enhanced safety standards.
Conclusion
Volta 1 is a ground-breaking step in sustainability and innovation within the maritime sector and it is likely to have ramifications on both the industry and the law in the years to come.
While there are still challenges ahead on the path towards decarbonisation, this marks an opportunity to review document drafting and practices and ensure the law considers and keeps pace with changes in sustainability and technology.
