Wärtsilä Launching New Portfolio Of Hybrid Tug Boat Designs

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Wärtsilä is introducing a new portfolio of tug boat designs, dubbed the HYTug series, that make use of the company’s hybrid propulsion technology and were created with “environmental sustainability” in mind, according to a new press release.

The new designs all make use of the recently introduced Wärtsilä HY hybrid propulsion solution — which provides a degree of energy efficiency and operational flexibility that should prove useful to those working in regions with tight regulatory requirements.

As tug boats mostly just operate in areas of high population and often high air pollution levels, the ability to potentially slash emissions through the use of hybrid technologies is probably pretty attractive in some regards.

“We believe that new tugs will in future rely more and more on battery and hybrid propulsion, which very well complements today’s operational requirements. As a total solutions provider with unmatched in-house capabilities combining ship design, engine technology, propulsion, and electrical and automation systems, Wärtsilä is uniquely qualified to produce tug designs that fully meet the needs of the industry, and this we have now done,” noted Riku-Pekka Hägg, Vice President of Ship Design at Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The press release provides details: “Notably, the enhanced efficiency enables the total installed main engine power to be less than with conventional designs. Using less engine power also decreases exhaust emission levels and, therefore, the environmental impact. It also reduces the fuel bill and lessens the amount of engine maintenance needed, which again adds to the cost savings.”

“The designs feature a very distinctive outlook while providing the power and manoeuvrability for practical tug operations. They have been optimised for low hull resistance, high towing / escort performance, sea-keeping, crew safety and comfort, as well as for easy maintenance. Each design has the option to select either diesel mechanical hybrid, or diesel electric hybrid propulsion, and the designs cover a 40 to 90 ton bollard pull range with the appropriate Wärtsilä equipment.”

The development of the new line of hybrid tug boats was done in cooperation with the ABS, BV, and Lloyds Register classification societies, it should be noted — and have thus received Approval-in-Principle certification, which should prove useful in drumming up business quickly.

This new lineup builds on Wärtsilä’s earlier work introducing liquefied natural gas (LNG) tug designs to the wider market.