Sanmar Shipyards has delivered its second electric tug to HaiSea Marine which will be used to service tankers calling at LNG Canada’s new export facility in Kitimat.
The new ElectRA series harbour tug HAISEA WEE’GIT and its previously delivered sister HAISEA WAMIS, will combine with HaiSea’s two Sanmar-built dual-fuel LNG escort tugs, to make up one of the greenest tugboat fleets in the world.
“The delivery of HAISEA WEE’GIT is another marker along the road to a sustainable, environmentally-friendly tug and towing industry,” said Ali Gurun, chairman of Sanmar Shipyards.
”The importance of the delivery of these game-changing tugs to our entire industry cannot be over-estimated. Emissions-free harbour tugs are no longer just a dream. At Sanmar, we are delighted to be at the forefront of this change.”
Environmentally sensitive
HaiSea Marine is a joint venture majority owned by the Haisla Nation in partnership with Seaspan ULC.
It has a major contract to provide harbour and escort tugboat services to LNG Canada’s new export facility in Kitimat, which is in an extremely environmentally-sensitive region of British Columbia.
Like its sisters, HAISEA WEE’GIT is based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2800SX design from Vancouver-headquartered naval architect, Robert Allan Ltd. W
ith approximately 70 tonnes bollard pull, a top speed of 12 knots and 6,000 kWh of battery capacity, it will perform all ship-berthing and unberthing missions on battery power alone.
Taking advantage of the clean hydroelectric power available in Kitimat, it will be able to recharge from dedicated shore charging facilities at its berth between jobs, effectively resulting in zero emissions.
HaiSea’s green tug fleet is expected to reduce emissions of CO2 by approximately 10,000 tonnes per annum compared to diesel powered alternatives, with major reductions of NOX, SOX, CO and particulate matter as well.
The electric harbour tugs are also exceptionally quiet, both onboard and in terms of underwater radiated noise, further enhancing the protection of both marine and wildlife in the area.
A third electric tug HAISEA BRAVE will be delivered to the HaiSea Marine fleet later this year.
Sanmar will also deliver a further four ElectRA Series this year. Two will be delivered to South America operator SAAM Towage, one to Bukser og Berging in Norway and one to Sanmar’s own fleet in Türkiye.
