Hybrid tug project receives backing from US TUGS AND SALVAGE
S
EATTLE-based Foss Maritime Co is to build what it claims is the world’s first
genuinely hybrid tug boat, an environmentally- friendly vessel that will be designed to significantly reduce harmful nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and carbon emissions. It will also consume less fuel and be quieter than its conventional predecessors, writes Clive Woodbridge. The decision to move forward with the
hybrid tug project, which is still dependent on final Foss board approval, follows the pledge of financial support by the Port of Los Angeles, USA, and the Long Beach Board of Harbour Commissioners. In exchange for funding, Foss has indicated
that it will base the new hybrid tug in southern California for five years. The 5000hp Foss hybrid tug will be primarily used to move vessels, such as tankers and containerships, in and out of the harbour and into their berths. The Foss hybrid tug is scheduled to go into
production later this year and will be delivered for Foss’ southern California operations in 2008. The design is effectively a continuation of the Dolphin-class tug boat series built at Foss’ Rainier shipyard, Oregon, and the new hybrid tug will look almost identical to its sister Dolphin-class tug boats. However, the hybrid tug’s drive units will
be powered by batteries coupled with diesel generators, and will feature a modified engineroom accommodating two 670hp battery packs and two 335hp generators. Although the main engines in the hybrid tug will have lower horsepower than the existing Dolphin engines, Foss states that overall the tug will have the same total horsepower as its sister tugs. It is expected that hybrid tug will
signif icantly reduce emissions. Initial estimates are said to show a 44% reduction in PM and NOx emissions for the same duty as the current Dolphin tugs in Los Angeles/ Long Beach. The hybrid tug design minimises fuel
consumption by using a power management system to match the required power to the
Two sister Dolphin-class tugs currently operating in southern California, Morgan Foss and Campbell Foss. The new hybrid tug will look identical to these from the outside, but will feature new, more environmentally-friendly propulsion systems.
most efficient combination of batteries, generators, and main engines for that particular power level. For example, while in standby mode when
alongside a customer vessel awaiting orders from the pilot, the hybrid tug will run on battery power with the main engines shut down, instead of idling. The lower fuel consumption results in reductions of carbon emissions - a contributor to greenhouse gas - as well as sulphur emissions. In addition, the hybrid tug will be much
quieter than traditional tugs, running on battery power in standby mode, and only bringing the generators and main engines online when higher power is required. This will reduce noise exposure, protecting crews from hearing loss and reducing noise pollution. The hybrid tug is being introduced into the Los Angeles/Long Beach market, initially
as hybrid tug technology is considered best suited for harbour tugs that need high amounts of power for short periods of time. Tugs used in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area spend up to 50% of their time idling, with the main engines on and ready to respond, but with no power actually being used for propulsion. With Foss’ hybrid tug, energy is produced only on demand, so that idling of the main engines will no longer be necessary. The design will be configured so that it
will eventually be suitable for the retrofit of existing harbour tugs, and also has the ability to take advantage of emerging technologies such as improved battery and fuel advances. In addition, Foss says the tug could also take advantage of cleaner, less expensive shore power to charge the batteries. It is expected that the tug will cost around
US$8 million to build, about US$3 million more than a traditional diesel tugboat.
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SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL MAY/JUNE 2007
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