Turkish shipbuilder discusses emissions-cutting designs under development for tugs using dual-fuel engines
Tugs burning methanol and hydrogen-based fuels in dual-fuel engines with high towage and transit capabilities will be built within this decade, according to Med Marine Pilotage & Towage head of planning and estimation Sidar Gökçe.
Mr Gökçe discussed the upcoming trend with Riviera Maritime Media at the 26th International Tug & Salvage Convention in Istanbul, Turkey.
Looking ahead at the fuels and engines owners are seeking to invest in for their tugboat newbuildings, the Med Marine manager says his business is developing tug designs for future methanol fuels or hydrogen-powered propulsion with dual-fuel engines, enabling owners to modernise their fleets with low-emissions vessels.
The tugs currently being designed can be initially used with traditional diesel fuel and later adapted for use with methanol or other fuels to provide hydrogen to power the engines.
Med Marine is working with engine manufacturers to develop dual-fuel solutions and with naval architects on low-emissions tug designs.
Mr Gökçe says the tug industry is moving towards using methanol in the medium-term and will consider other technologies in the long term.
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
