Sanmar on the crest of an electric wave of tugs

These come on top of eight ElectRA Series tugs that have already been delivered across three continents, says Sanmar, as part of a project that began in 2021.

The first, Haisea Wamis, was launched in Tuzla along with four others in 2023 at an event to which Maritime Journal was invited. It currently operates with sister vessels Haisea Wee’Git and Haisea Brave in Kitimat, Canada, at LNG Canada’s export facility.

One of those now under build is an ElectRA 2500SX for towage giant Svitzer, and is due to be delivered later on this year for operations in Swedish and Danish waters.

Sanmar says that despite a major reduction in NO_X, SO_X and CO₂ emissions, the vessels are no less powerful than conventionally fuelled tugs. The quietness of electric propulsion also limits underwater noise radiation, thus with less effect on marine life. Corvus Energy has provided the batteries for these tugs, which are available in lengths of 19-28 metres and with bollard pull of 40-85 tonnes.

“These tugs represent a massive step forward towards the creation of an eco-friendly sustainable global tug and towing industry,” said chairman Ali Gürün. ”Each ElectRA offers an operator the chance to make a huge positive impact by greatly reducing the number of harmful emissions in any port or harbour in which they work.”

Other notable deliveries include BB Electra, which was delivered to Norway’s Buksér og Berging in April, 2024 as the first fully electric tug to operate in Europe, and Trapananda, an ElectRA 2500SX built for SAAM Towage, which has recently successfully completed sea trials and will the first fully electric tug in Latin America.

Sanmar has also launched a compact tug for a new Greek customer, Nemeca, in a first build for Greece. The vessel is based on a RAstar 2900SX design by Robert Allan and has a bollard pull of 80 tons.

Nemeca owns and operates tugs in Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Kavala. Its new acquisition is 29.4m in length and can carry a crew of 10. It is powered by two CAT 3516E main engines with 2,430kW each.RAstar tugs are primarily intended for demanding escort operations in exposed areas, where exceptional seakeeping capabilities are crucial.