Wärtsilä Developing Hybrid Tug Design

Wärtsilä is developing a harbor tug design for a new port facility being constructed in São Mateus-ES, Brazil. The work stems from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Wärtsilä and Petrocity, the parent company of the port. The new facility has stringent environmental regulations, prompting Petrocity to seek a harbor tug with low fuel consumption and emissions, but high operational efficiency.

The harbor tug will be designed based on the Wärtsilä HYTug that has hybrid propulsion and energy storage using batteries. HYTug’s engine, energy storage system, and power electronics work together through an Energy Management System providing high efficiency. The use of batteries eliminates exhaust smoke, and reduces noise levels, while also reducing operating costs. The tug’s design offers low hull resistance, high towing and escort performance, crew safety and easy maintenance.

“Green port operations are completely aligned with Petrocity’s corporate philosophy and values. We look forward to working with Wärtsilä in developing the kind of harbor tug that meets the criteria that have been established for this project. This will be the first of many others in a huge logistics project, which aims at the regional integration of the Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais and Bahia states. It represents a definitive guarantee of the interiorization of the economy in the north of Espírito Santo,” José Roberto, CEO Petrocity, said.