Svitzer to Add Another Battery-Powered Tug to Fleet

Danish towage operator Svitzer is expanding its fleet with a new battery-powered tug. The Copenhagen-based company, known for its extensive fleet of over 450 vessels, has partnered with the Turkish Sanmar Shipyard for the construction of the new unit, set to be delivered in the second half of 2025.

The electric tug, designed by naval architect Robert Allan, will measure 25 meters in length and boast a bollard pull of 70 tonnes. Equipped with a 1,818 kWh battery, the tug will have the capability to operate solely on electrical power, supported by two generators for backup, range extension, and firefighting operations.

Svitzer, with operations at more than 140 ports and 40 terminals across 37 countries, intends to deploy the new tug in the Øresund Strait, connecting Denmark and Sweden.

Last year, Svitzer made headlines with the order of the world’s first battery-methanol tug. This larger vessel, nearing 35 meters in length with a bollard pull of 85 tonnes, will also be constructed in Turkey at Uzmar shipyard. It will feature a 6MWh battery, complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines, and is slated to handle up to 25% of its operations in the port of Gothenburg, Sweden.

“In recent years, we have witnessed a growing demand for eco-friendly towage services in Scandinavia, particularly in the Øresund Strait. Concurrently, we are committed to reducing CO2 emissions in the industry significantly by 2030. The addition of a new battery-powered tug addresses both challenges, allowing us to continue delivering reliable and sustainable services to our clients while minimizing our carbon footprint,” stated Mathias Jonasson, Svitzer’s managing director for Scandinavia.