VESSEL REVIEW | Hydrogen Electric Tug 1 – New hybrid tug to be operated out of China's Qingdao Port

Qingdao Port on China’s Yellow Sea coast recently placed a new ASD harbour tug into operational service.

Designed and built by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard, Hydrogen Electric Tug 1 (氢电拖1; Qing Dian Tuo 1) is notable for having a hybrid propulsion system consisting of two 100kW hydrogen fuel cells and a 7,838kWh liquid-cooled lithium battery pack.

The builder said it is the first hydrogen-electric tug to be operated in China.

Quiet operations even in demanding port environments

The tug has an LOA of 39 metres (130 feet), a beam of 11 metres (36 feet), a draught of 4.2 metres (14 feet), a depth of 5.3 metres (17 feet), and a deadweight of 167.

The propulsion delivers a speed of 14.2 knots and a bollard pull of 82 tons in calm water, all while generating little to no noise. At nine knots, the tug can operate continuously for up to 12 hours.

Significant hydrogen power-generating capacity for sustained use

The hydrogen fuel cell can provide nearly 10,000 kWh of electricity for the onboard systems. Also, since the hydrogen propulsion’s only emission is water, the tug is able to operate with a reduced environmental impact.

An automatic intelligent shore charging system is also fitted to permit safe charging of the batteries via shore connection while the tug is berthed.

Design work on Hydrogen Electric Tug 1 satisfies China Classification Society requirements including the “FC-power 2” notation, which covers the use of fuel cells in supplying power to a vessel’s non-essential onboard equipment and non-emergency equipment.