Sanmar, Caterpillar start work on hybrid tug

Caterpillar Marine and Turkey’s Sanmar Shipyards are building and equipping a new tug with a hydraulic hybrid propulsion system.

The Sanmar hydraulic hybrid tug will be a Robert Allan-designed harbour tug incorporating an integrated Caterpillar AVD system of 3512 main engines, a C32 auxiliary engine, Cat MTA 627 fixed pitch tug thrusters, and bridge controls.

It will carry Fifi 1 designation with 70-tonne metric bollard pull.

The AVD system will also include a fully integrated controls system with customisable operating modes and display panels at the bridge.

Caterpillar said the tug’s return on investment was three years or less based on projected fuel and operating cost savings.

“Different from a typical Power Take In (PTI) solution, the AVD incorporates a planetary gear set allowing seamless clutch engagement of main engines, auxiliary engines, or both to provide a scalable power installation to meet any customer need in terms of maximum vessel speed, power, or bollard pull,” said product definition engineer Nathan Kelly.

“This also allows propeller speed independent of engine speed so optimal engine efficiency can be achieved, leading to fuel savings of 15 per cent to 20 per cent.”


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