But designer says market not yet ready for fuel cell power for harbour tugs
IJmuiden-based Iskes Towage & Salvage has ordered two low-emission diesel-electric harbour tugs, designed by Offshore Ship Designers, from Dutch shipbuilder Damen with deliveries scheduled for mid-2013. The design is expected to reduce emissions by 30% compared to conventional, similar-sized harbour tugs now in service.
Michiel Wijsmuller, managing director of OSD, says, "The design and demand for this low-emission tug stems from our successful work developing the zero-emission Green Tug design. Iskes was one of the key partners in that project. We can see the market is not yet ready for fuel cell power for harbour tugs, but we can take from the development work other aspects of the design which minimise emissions. This vessel will have a very refined and efficient hull form and a sophisticated power management system which will ensure that the gensets work always at their best efficiency."
The 32-metre loa tugs will have a bollard pull of 70 tonnes and will be powered by three diesel gensets driving electric motors mounted over azimuthing propellers aft and a Voith in-line thruster forward. The Azistern 3270 tug design is a further development of the low-emission Azistern series developed by OSD.
Key points of the design brief were a relatively large deck crane to enable the tug to do maintenance work for wind farms at sea, electric winches, low resistance and low-wash hull form and accommodation for seven crew.
Source: World Bunkering
