Kotug to deploy electric pusher tug for transport of cocoa

Kotug will deploy the first in a new series of electric pusher tugs to handle barges transporting imported cocoa beans between the Port of Amsterdam and Cargill’s cocoa facilities in Zaandam.

The tug will be capable of pushing barges with up to 4,000 tonnes of cargo.

The tug will also be equipped with swappable battery energy containers from Shift Clean Energy. These modular ESS battery systems are charged through clean power generation from biogas, hydrogen, and other renewable energy sources either onboard the vessels or at Shift’s dedicated energy stations.

Kotug expects the use of swappable ESS battery systems will maximise uptime for vessel owners, as charging of containers can be accomplished within a few minutes.