The technology group Wärtsilä is focusing on environmental sustainability for a new portfolio of tug designs called the Wärtsilä HYTug series.
Wärtsilä’s new vessels use diesel mechanical hybrid or diesel-electric hybrid propulsion to cut the amount of polluting gases released during operations.
The range covers a 40 to 90-ton bollard pull and has also achieved an approval-in-principle (AiP) certification after development work was carried out in close cooperation with the ABS, BV and Lloyds Register classification societies.
This type of certification means that the design follows class safety regulations and will be class approved in actual projects.
The new designs will be launched in September 2017.
Riku-Pekka Hägg, Vice President, Ship Design, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, said: “We believe that new tugs will in future rely more and more on battery and hybrid propulsion, which very well complements today’s operational requirements.
“As a total solutions provider with unmatched in-house capabilities combining ship design, engine technology, propulsion, and electrical and automation systems, Wärtsilä is uniquely qualified to produce tug designs that fully meet the needs of the industry, and this we have now done.”
Read more: Wärtsilä recently tested a remote-controlled ship