Construction begins on new electric tug for Chinese operator

Construction has begun on a new electric harbour tug ordered by Chinese operator Shandong Port Bohai Bay Port Barge.

The tug will have an ice-reinforced hull that will enable safe navigation in Bohai Bay. This attribute will make it one of the first electric tugs in China to feature ice-reinforced construction.

Other notable features will include an intelligent ship management system and a digital environmental monitoring platform to enable safe navigation in port.

The completed tug will have a length of 38 metres, a beam of 10.5 metres, a depth of 4.7 metres, and a total battery capacity of 5,800 kWh. The latter will deliver a design speed of just over 13 knots and a bollard pull of 48 tonnes.

Construction of the tug is underway at the Pure Electric Tug Industry Demonstration Base at the Port of Lianyungang in northeastern Jiangsu province. Another four electric tugs for other operators are also under construction at the same facility.