The way to green towage

The global maritime industry is at a critical juncture in its push towards decarbonisation, with every sector facing pressure to adopt greener and more sustainable practices. This extends to the port and towage sectors, where operators face the task of curbing emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and reliability. For the dry bulk industry, which depends on efficient port operations to move vast quantities of raw materials, decarbonisation presents both an opportunity and a challenge.

For dry bulk operators, ports represent a critical bottleneck in their supply chain. As environmental regulations intensify and port authorities and other stakeholders push for sustainable operations, reducing the carbon footprint of towage operations becomes essential. Towage is a key element in maintaining the efficiency and safety of port operations, particularly for bulk cargoes. But how can these vital operations become greener while ensuring ports continue to function smoothly?

Svitzer recognises that the decarbonisation of towage operations is a key component in helping dry bulk operators meet their own sustainability goals, especially when facing the challenge of creating truly green corridors and ports.

Big challenges, innovative solutions

The transition to a more sustainable maritime industry hinges on the adoption of new technologies and alternative fuels, as well as operational practices that reduce energy consumption. Svitzer’s approach to fleet decarbonisation is multifaceted, combining vessel designs, the use of biofuels, and the development of tactical measures that promote energy efficiency.

A significant component of Svitzer’s decarbonisation strategy is a commitment to fleet renewal. This focuses on using cutting-edge tug designs that enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. In partnership with naval architect Robert Allan Ltd., Svitzer has developed the TRAnsverse tug, a multipurpose vessel with an omnidirectional hull form and propulsion system. This design allows the tug to push and pull in all directions, meeting the demands of complex port environments while consuming less fuel.

Compared to conventional tugs, the TRAnsverse tug can deliver significant reductions in fuel use and the time taken to complete each towage job. This is of essence in a wide range of ports and bulk terminals, where precise and efficient towage is crucial for minimising port turnaround times. Svitzer has already launched the first operational TRAnsverse tug in Europe and is constructing additional vessels for deployment in Australia and other key markets. These future vessels will utilise a variety of propulsion systems; traditional combustion engine ready for future fuels as well as hybrid and full electric options depending on the operational requirement and the infrastructure of the respective ports.

Svitzer is also pioneering the use of biofuels as part of its broader decarbonisation strategy. As such, operation on second-generation biofuels such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) fuels have resulted in significantly reduced carbon emissions. In the UK, Svitzer continues to operate with HVO, balancing the need to meet its targets with that of managing fuel costs by varying the number of vessels using the fuel through the year. A maximum of 70 vessels have utilised HVO in the UK along with 10 vessels in Amsterdam using high FAME blends, allowing Svitzer to achieve around an 18% reduction in emissions across its operations.

A key initiative dry bulk operators should pay attention to is Svitzer’s EcoTow programme. EcoTow allows customers to purchase verified carbon reductions generated from biofuel-powered towage operations. For dry bulk operators seeking to meet their own decarbonisation goals, EcoTow offers a tangible way to reduce emissions in the supply chain. In markets where biofuel-powered tugs are not yet operational, EcoTow allows customers to pay for and realise the benefits of carbon reductions through insetting across the Svitzer fleet.

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Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/special-reports/23122024/the-way-to-green-towage/