Crowley designs 1st fully electric US tug with autonomous tech

Crowley Engineering Services has completed the design of the first fully electric U.S. tugboat with autonomous technology.

As explained, the design leverages a large electric battery system and power-saving technology to operate in a fully electric mode while producing zero air emissions or greenhouse gases.

The 82-foot tug will provide 70 short tons of bollard pull, featuring an Azimuthing drive propulsion system with two 1,800 kW motors and a 6 MWh battery.

According to the company, the design also supports fully customizable features to meet the vessel design requirements with the future in mind. The platform design can be adjusted for alternate power capacities suitable for a standard hybrid framework if desired. The fully modular batteries allow for upgrades as electric technology changes. In addition, Crowley has developed an onshore charging station to support charging and reliable performance at the home port.

“Crowley’s design provides operators the tugboat solution to continue serving ships quickly and powerfully, while reducing their environmental impact by eliminating a carbon footprint,” Ray Martus, vice president, Crowley Engineering Services, commented.

“This new design sets the standard for innovation by showing that sustainability and power can work together seamlessly in our maritime industries.”

With no exhaust stack, the tug has 360 degrees of visibility from the pilot’s station, allowing the operator to see without obstruction.

The electric tug has also been designed for future autonomous operation to increase the safety and efficiency of the operation including integrated automation and control systems. The intelligent maneuvering and control system offers more efficient vessel operations and allows masters to focus holistically on the overall control and positioning of the vessel in increasingly busy harbors, according to Crowley.