Finnish technology group Wärtsilä signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petrocity, the parent company of the new port facility that is currently being built in the Brazilian city of São Mateus-ES, to develop a harbour tug design.
The new tug will aim to maximise the ecological operational sustainability, since the environmental demands of the new port are among the most strict in the world.
The design will be based on Wärtsilä HYTug, which features hybrid propulsion and energy storage using batteries.
The vessel will have reduced exhaust emission levels, when operating in ‘green’ mode, with minimal visible smoke from being produced since the load is being picked-up by the batteries. Moreover, the noise level of the tug will be reduced.
Mr. José Roberto, CEO Petrocity, said: “Green port operations are completely aligned with Petrocity’s corporate philosophy and values. This will be the first of many others in a huge logistics project which aims at the regional integration of the Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais and Bahia states.”
The overall design has been optimised for low hull resistance, high towing and escort performance, efficient sea-keeping, crew safety and comfort, as well as for easy maintenance, the company says.
