ETA reflects on hybrid and LNG tug operations

The desire for greater efficiencies and environmental benefits for the shiphandling tug sector has led to an increasing number of new vessels adopting green technologies in recent years including hybrid and LNG and ETA has tapped into the experience of some of the industry’s major players, reflecting on their experiences and thoughts for further developments.

Norway’s Buksér og Berging AS introduced Borgøy, the world’s first LNG-powered escort tug in 2014 and Vetle J Sverdrup reported ‘important’ CO2 and NOx reductions with its operation stating the greener performance was not only a positive outcome of fuel choice but also the result of years of data analysis and adopting best practices to operate in a more efficient way.

Kotug International is noteworthy for its pioneering spirit in exploring new and innovative technologies and Koos Smoor from the Rotterdam-based towage operator focused on hybrid tugs and the ways crew and technical staff need to adapt to the technology including closer cooperation between tug master and engineers along with continuous definition of best practice to improve operational efficiencies and extend battery lifetime. Mr Smoor also called for more support for early adopters, avoiding technical and financial efforts to make their fleets greener ending up being ‘isolated and impactless’.

As mentioned elsewhere, Boluda are the dominant towage operator in Europe and Geert Vandecapelle from Boluda Europe described the diverse benefits of hybrid technologies including 30% to 35% reduction in CO2 and NOx reductions leading to improved fuel economy and maintenance savings stating: ‘This technology is best when used in a port environment where transfer distances are short.’

Port of Antwerp has been making the news with its approach in general to green operations and as a towage operator in its own right is in the process of radical measures to reduce its fleet’s carbon emissions, focusing on alternative fuels including hydrogen, methanol and electricity. The webinar also heard from Roxana Caliminte from Gas Infrastructure Europe who described LNG availability in European ports and underlining the importance of European legislation to enhance the role of LNG terminals as an essential factor in greening the shipping industry.