Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (November 2023)

27 29

Feature

Power & Propulsion

Seabulk Towing

Seabulk’s ? rst ever electric-hybrid tugboat, Spartan, was built by Master Boat Builders and delivered in 2022. is based. Kirby’s role goes beyond vessel operating. The ing. Thus, these vessels may be candidates for electri? cation vessel was built in Channelview by San Jac Marine, LLC, a because they are frequently waiting at port where they could

Kirby-owned shipyard; and Stewart & Stevenson, another charge between assisting ocean-vessels into port.”

Kirby company, was responsible for the design and instal- Crowley is building a fully electric tug, Sea Wolf, for lation of the power management, control and propulsion work around San Diego harbor. The battery powered boat systems. The actual propulsion is provided by a pair of 575 (6 Mwh overall, two Corvus Orca BOBs—the container- kW Danfoss motors, powered by a Corvus Orca series bat- ized version the Corvus Orca, for energy storage), will use tery array providing 1243 kWh of power, or, if needed, a an onboard electrical package from ABB. Delivery, from set of onboard Caterpillar generators. Master Boat Builders, is anticipated in early 2024. “According to Kirby’s modeling, when operating on shore For longer runs on inland rivers, fuel cells are gaining supplied power, the fuel use can be reduced by almost 80%, traction for electricity production. The BSMC/ Vander- resulting in an estimated 88-95% reduction in emissions of bilt report noted, “Longer term (15+ years) we expect nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons,” Kirby the emerging investments being made today in hydro- said. “When in hybrid mode with the generators running, gen fuel technology to substantially transform the marine the boat is expected to have an estimated 27% reduction in fuel landscape…” For the near term, electricity generated emissions compared to a conventional towing vessel.” from hydrogen fuel cells is being explored, using methanol

Electri? cation through battery power works best for ves- and ammonia as “carriers” for the hydrogen. Vessel owner sels not deployed continuously, to enable suf? cient time for Maritime Partners has invested in e1 Marine, building an charging. Another BSMC publication, prepared by Vander- electricity powered boat (with methanol input to the fuel bilt University’s Climate Change Initiative, “Pathways to cell) to be operated on the inland waterways by American

Net-Zero 2050 in the North American Marine Shipping Commercial Barge Line (ACBL).

Industry”, explained that “Some vessels, such as harbor assist In a project that will demonstrate the feasibility of am- vessels, operate for very short durations and remain in close monia for providing electricity, Amogy, based along the proximity to port infrastructure when they are not work- Brooklyn, N.Y. waterfront, is now ? tting out a retired 28 | MN November 2023