North Vancouver, BC-based HaiSea Marine Limited Partnership, has begun a battery-powered and low emissions tugboat build program to provide ship-assist and escort towing services to LNG carriers calling at LNG Canada’s new export facility in Kitimat in the unceded traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.
HaiSea Marine, which is majority owned by the Haisla Nation in partnership with Seaspan ULC, has a contract with LNG Canada to build and operate escort and harbor tugs required for their export facility in Kitimat.
With a supply of clean hydroelectric power available in Kitimat, the harbor tugs will be able to recharge from dedicated shore charging facilities at their berths between dockings, effectively resulting in near-zero emissions when running on batteries, according to HaiSea.
GHG emissions from the new tugs are expected to be significantly lower — 54% and 24% respectively — than diesel powered alternatives, the company said.
The new fleet, which the company revealed was being built in late May, is expected to consist of two RAstar 4000-DF escort dual fuel (LNG and diesel) tugs and three ElectRA 2800 electric harbor tugs. Designed by Vancouver BC-based naval architect company, Robert Allan Ltd., the tugs will be constructed by Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar.
The RAstar 4000-DF escort tugs will measure 40 meters in length, according to HaiSea, with 100 tons of bollard pull, with the ability to generate indirect forces in escort of about 200 tons.
In addition, the escort tugs are designed to feature an exhaust after-treatment system in full compliance with IMO Tier III emissions standards, the most stringent emissions standards for the international marine industry.
The new fleet of tugs is scheduled to arrive in British Columbia in 2023.