World first purpose-built dual-fuel methanol tug launched

The beneficiary is Kotug in Canada, which will use it to service Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project to escort LNG tankers from the harbour limits of the Port of Vancouver to the Pacific Ocean.

It is the first of two methanol escort tugs being built by Sanmar, which says the two vessels will be the most powerful escort tugs in Canada, with 120 tonnes of bollard pull.

“The methanol-fuelled tugs represent another major step forward to a cleaner, greener future,” said Sanmar. “Measuring 44m in length, the escort tugs will operate in some of the harshest environments in the world and have been customised to meet the demanding operational and environmental requirements of this project.”

Based on Robert Allan’s RAsalvor 4400-DFM design, the twin tugs will provide long-range towing, anchor-handling, rescue and salvage and will have the largest spill response capabilities on the British Columbia coast.

“The launch of this radically new tug, the first of twins, is an important day for the whole tug industry,” said Ali Gürün, Sanmar’s vice chairman & CEO. “It marks a major step forward in the use of alternative fuels to protect our planet. These are among the most powerful tugs ever built, yet have environmental protection at their heart.”