Coaltrans Asia 2023Port of South LouisianaIMPA EventsBühler GmbHPort of StocktonCimbria
  • Sailors Society
  • TBA Group
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Coaltrans Asia 2023
  • Cimbria
  • Vigan

ABB powers first South Asia hybrid tug

(Posted on 17/04/20)

ABB’s electric propulsion, power, energy storage, control and automation technology will be at the heart of the first tug in South Asia capable of switching between low emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines and zero-emission battery power. The tug, which will operate in Singapore harbor, has been ordered by Sembcorp Marine subsidiary Jurong Marine Services for delivery from the Sembcorp Marine shipyard by the end of 2020.

LNG as a fuel virtually eliminates sulphur oxide emissions, while the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is also incentivizing its use to support the International Maritime Organization’s aims to halve ship CO2 emissions by 2050.

The project represents the first delivery of ABB’s award-winning power and distribution system Onboard DC Grid™ for a tug application. Leveraging Onboard DC Grid™, the vessel will be able to deploy 904 kWh of battery power for zero-emission operation, as well as for peak shaving – improving utilization of electricity use on board.

“This is a breakthrough in the tug market for the ABB’s energy storage technologies and a strong validation of Onboard DC Grid™ as the ultimate solution for power management efficiency for hybrid propulsion,” says Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports. “Future-proofing for a different energy mix makes particular sense for tugs and other port service vessels, as the most likely candidates to face imminent environmental restriction. This is also a great example of a local team meeting a regional priority by realizing ABB’s ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ vision.”

Gas fuelled engines face a particular challenge when it comes to handling the fast-changing load capabilities demanded by tugs. Leveraging the Onboard DC Grid™ system, the tug’s engines will be able to run at variable speeds for optimized LNG fuel economy at each load level.

Additionally, through integration with an energy storage source, the batteries will be able to provide power to the tug’s propulsion system almost instantaneously. Leveraging the capabilities of Onboard DC Grid™, the LNG engines will not have the need to be tied to a fixed speed against dynamic loads, and would be able to provide energy at variable revolutions per minute (RPM), further enhancing efficiency, responsiveness and sustainability of tug operations. ABB’s scope of supply also includes the DC drives for the PTI/PTO variable speed shaft generator, which integrates with the energy storage battery.

Latest News

Human presence in navigation is vital despite digitalisation

(Posted on 05/06/23)

Digitalisation can only go so far in protecting safe navigation in busy shipping lanes with human involvement... Read more


New Inmarsat report provides blueprint for maritime decarbonisation

(Posted on 05/06/23)

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, and a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications,... Read more


Zuidnatie raises capacity with Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 MHC

(Posted on 02/06/23)

Belgian logistics and transportation company Zuidnatie NV ordered their first Generation 6 Konecranes... Read more


Framo pumping systems selected for Norwegian Centre for Ocean Technology

(Posted on 31/05/23)

Norwegian government agency Statsbygg has awarded Framo the development contract to supply pump systems... Read more


Wärtsilä lab engine for SIMAC to support skills development

(Posted on 30/05/23)

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a contract to deliver a Wärtsilä 20 ... Read more


Siwertell unloader ordered for multi-material handling in Senegal

(Posted on 23/05/23)

Bruks Siwertell has secured an order from Senegal Minergy Port SA (SMP) for a high-capacity Siwertell... Read more


ISO Limited and Liebherr advance New Zealand timber

(Posted on 17/05/23)

To support the sizeable lumber industry in New Zealand, Liebherr Maritime Cranes has worked with ISO... Read more


BWMS success helps DESMI reach new heights

(Posted on 14/05/23)

The Desmi Group’s general assembly has approved the year end result for 2022 – record-high... Read more


EMS-Tech expands reach in Europe with new Netherlands office

(Posted on 06/05/23)

EMS-Tech, a leading provider of custom designed bulk material handling systems, has opened a new office... Read more


Wärtsilä partners with DNV’s Veracity to streamline Anglo-Eastern’s reporting

(Posted on 02/05/23)

Technology group Wärtsilä and DNV’s industry cloud platform Veracity have entered a... Read more


Sailors SocietyTBA GroupViganTelestackTOC Europe 2023TOC Europe 2023
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Van Aalst
  • Telestack
  • TOC Europe 2023

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping