Two electric-powered tugs built by Sanmar Shipyards in Türkiye are undergoing sea trials ahead of delivery to major operator SAAM Towage’s Canadian fleet.
The new-generation, environmentally friendly tugs, dubbed “Tugs of the Future”, are emissions-free and based on the exclusive ElectRA 2300SX design by leading naval architects Robert Allan Ltd (RAL).
At full capacity, the tugs will reduce 2 400 tons of greenhouse gases each year.
The compact electric tugs measure 23.4 metres LOA (length overall) with an 11.9m beam and maximum draught of 5.5m. They have a bollard pull of 70 tonnes based on battery power of 3616 kWh and a high level of automation in line with the operator’s requirements. The tugs can achieve a speed of more than 11.5 knots.
Ali Gurun, chairman of Sanmar Shipyards, said: “It is exciting to see these revolutionary new-generation ‘Tugs of the Future’ undergoing sea trials. Emissions-free propulsion is no longer a future aspiration, but a fully viable solution for today’s tug and towing industry.
“That major operators such as SAAM Towage are well and truly on board and working closely with tug designers and builders to achieve a sustainable low- and no-emissions future is great news for our industry and our planet.”
SAAM Towage managing director Hernan Gomez said the close partnership between Sanmar, RAL and SAAM Towage to develop the tugs was a milestone for the company and for Canada.
“This is part of our innovation strategy and was made possible thanks to our partnership with Teck & Neptune Terminals, and will allow us to have a model that gives financial and technical viability to our common strategic objective, sustainability.”
SAAM Towage is the leading tugboat operator in the Americas, providing port and offshore towage services in more than 90 ports and 13 countries, from Prince Rupert, Canada, to Chile, in the far south. It has a fleet of more than 200 tugboats and expert crew members, operating on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Sanmar leads the world in the construction of Robert Allan Ltd-design tugs, with almost 300 built to date. It also operates a fleet of tugs with an average age of three years, providing services in ports around Türkiye.
