Ports of Auckland Buys Electric Tug

Ports of Auckland in New Zealand is purchasing an IMO Tier III ready all-electric ship-handling tug with 70 tonnes bollard pull from Netherlands company Damen Shipyards as part of the company’s strategy of becoming zero-emissions by 2040. The new tug design, introduced last year, has power systems comprised of two high-redundancy-level 1,000 kW generator sets that enable it to operate at 40 tonnes bollard pull should its electrical system experience a failure and a 1.5 MW charger connected to the charging station by four cables enables the RSD-E Tug 2513 to be fully recharged in less than two hours. The tug has a working life expectancy of 25 years.

Commenting on the acquisition of the new tug, the Mayor of Auckland, Phil Goff, stated: “Commissioning the world’s first fully-electric large tug represents a strong commitment by Auckland and its port to reducing carbon emissions and achieving our carbon zero target. It’s great for the environment, reducing pollution in the city centre and cutting back carbon emissions.”