Battery-powered electric tugs will be the most cost-effective solution for zero-emissions towage in the future, say Schottel sales director Christian Heidrich and Elkon Elektrik R&D manager Erdeniz Erol
The shift to decarbonising the maritime sector will see no shortage of technical, cost-related and operational challenges, but Mr Heidrich and Mr Erol said the tug sector is fully capable and ready to make battery-electric tugs viable and economically feasible.
Speaking at Riviera Maritime Media’s International Tug & Salvage Convention 2022, the industry experts’ discussion covered questions that tug owners looking at projects involving electric propulsion tugboats should ask before construction. Some of the most important questions involve charging options, selecting the right size and capabilities of batteries as well as compatible thrusters, generators and grids.
Mr Heidrich said he believes there will not be a ’one-size-fits-all’ solution or a perfect configuration of technologies, but rather adaptions of existing and new technologies.
And Mr Erol covered the pros and cons of AC/DC grids and autonomous charging stations in depth.
The key challenge to battery-powered tug uptake, a point on which both speakers agree, is that capital costs for battery-electric tugs are still far higher than for direct-diesel tugs.
As part of the solution, the speakers said providers and early adopters need to demonstrate the operational benefits and the competitive cost comparison of battery-powered tugs against conventional tugs, when assessed over vessels’ lifetime cost of ownership.
Riviera Maritime Media’s annual Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference returns to Bergen, Norway, 25-27 October 2022.Use this link to access more details and to register to attend
Riviera Maritime Media will be holding the first Maritime Decarbonisation Conference, Asia in Singapore, 29-30 November 2022.Use this link for more details and to register for this conference
