Saam Towage Canada christens electric harbour tugs

Saam Towage Canada formally named its two newest electric harbour tugs in a ceremony at the Port of Vancouver on Wednesday, April 10.

The tugs were designed by local naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd (RAL). Each has a length of 23 metres, a moulded beam of 11.85 metres, a maximum draught of 5.5 metres, and a 3,616kWh energy storage system (ESS) supplied by Corvus Energy.

The ESS on each tug will utilise clean energy from British Columbia’s hydroelectric power grid. Saam expects that, when operating at full capacity, the tugs will collectively cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,400 tonnes each year.

Each tug’s ESS will deliver a bollard pull of 70 tonnes. RAL said that each tug can generate its maximum bollard pull for up to an hour, thanks the extensive mission endurance afforded by the batteries.

The tugs will begin supporting clients at the Port of Vancouver in May.