New Zealand’s Ports of Auckland commissioned the world’s first full-size electric tug boat back in 2019, which hit the water ahead of scheduled delivery in December 2020. Now, the US has commissioned its first electric tug boat, too, which will serve the Port of San Diego from mid-2023.
Developed by the pioneering Crowley Maritime Corporation, makers of high-powered ship assist tugboats, this new first-class ship assist tugboat is fully electric. The company is on a mission to head the next generation of industry sustainability by building and operating the first all-electric-powered harbor tugboat capable of completing a job without expending a drop of fuel.
The revolutionary vessel is named eWolf. It’s 82 feet long (25 m) with 70 short tons of bollard pull capabilities. It provides 360-degree visibility from the pilot’s station, allowing the operator to see all contact points without any obstruction, and features ABB’s artificial intelligence technology to increase safety and efficiency further.
The operation of eWolf will reduce 178 tons of nitrogen oxide, 3,100 metric tons of CO2, and 2.5 tons of diesel particulate matter over the first decade of its use versus a conventional tug. It’s intended to replace an existing tug boat that consumes over 30,000 gallons of diesel per year.
Michael Zucchet, Chairman of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, said:
“Crowley’s first-of-its-kind electric tugboat is a game-changer. It checks all the boxes by providing environmental, economic, and operational benefits for our communities and maritime industry. We are proud to work with Crowley and couldn’t be more pleased the eWolf will operate exclusively on San Diego Bay.”
Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, added:
“This vessel will set a standard in the US maritime industry for sustainability and performance, and its zero-emissions capability and autonomous technology will benefit the environment and the safety of mariners and vessels.”
The zero-carbon emissions eWolf can operate with full performance capabilities even though it’s fully electric. However, it will accommodate two modest diesel generators on board as a backup/safety measure for the times it cannot plug into shoreside power.
It’ll use a 6.2-MWh+ main propulsion battery array—an extensive enough battery system to power two 2,100-kW Ramme electric motors and reach a top speed of 12 knots (13.8 mph/22.2 km/h). The system will be coupled with power-saving technology. The vessel is designed to complete two-ship assist jobs in the harbor before heading to a custom shoreside charging station developed with Cochran Marine.
The eTug’s battery system is modular to allow for flexibility in maintenance and upgrades as new battery technology becomes available without modifying the vessel. Furthermore, the design brief includes future autonomous operation implementation to increase the safety and efficiency of the operation.
