The Turkish shipbuilder and tugboat operator revealed five designs in the battery-electric tug series during the Nor-Shipping exhibition in Oslo, Norway 6-9 June.
Med Marine and Robert Allan developed the VoltRA series of electric tug designs with onboard energy storage systems, generator sets for back-up power and range extension, and with lengths ranging from 21 m to 30 m.
These tugs will be built at the Eregli Shipyard on Turkey’s Black Sea coast to enable owners to provide emissions-free ship manoeuvring and berthing. Battery banks on these tugs will range from 2,900 kWh to 5,000 kWh for bollard pulls ranging from 50 tonnes to almost 90 tonnes.
Med Marine chief executive Hakan Şen said these electric tugs will play a pivotal role in fostering cleaner port environments. “We strongly believe making investments in practices and technologies that prioritise the environment is of utmost importance in safeguarding our resources and securing a sustainable future,” he said.
“In this regard, we are pleased to launch our VoltRA-series battery-powered tugs to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly vessels.”
Med Marine provided the details of five VoltRA designs at its stand at Nor-Shipping, including battery capacities, tug particulars and expected bollard pulls.
Each design has a ship towing winch on the fore deck, a wheelhouse with 360° views around the vessel and a FiFi type fire-fighting system for emergency response.
The VoltRA 2100 has an overall length of 21 m, a beam of 11 m, and a bollard pull of 50 tonnes from 2,900 kWh of battery capacity and two 1,400-ekW thrusters.
VoltRA 2300 has an overall length of around 23 m, a beam of 12 m, and a bollard pull of 70 tonnes from 3,600 kWh of battery capacity and two 2,100-ekW thrusters.
Med Marine’s VoltRA 2500 has an overall length of 25 m, a beam of 12 m, and a bollard pull of 80 tonnes from 4,000 kWh of battery capacity and two 2,300-ekW thrusters.
According to design, VoltRA 2800 has an overall length of 28 m, a beam of 13 m, and a bollard pull of 85 tonnes from 4,500 kWh of battery capacity and two 2,525-ekW thrusters.
The largest of the current series, VoltRA 3000 has an overall length of 30 m and a bollard pull of 90 tonnes from 5,000 kWh of battery capacity and two 2,525-ekW thrusters.
Med Marine managers told Riviera Maritime Media there has been interest from tug owners and equipment suppliers in these electric tugs and construction of the first VoltRA series vessel could begin this year.
Source : Rivieramm
