Oil & Gas

A group of companies is utilizing a government grant to fund the construction of three electric tugboats at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, one of the largest U.S. oil export hubs. This initiative is set to reduce emissions and diesel fuel consumption significantly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $105 million from the Clean Ports Program to help fund this project.

According to a report from the Washington-based Specialized Energy Platform, this funding will cover 70% of the cost for the construction of these tugboats, marking a crucial step towards greener operations in U.S. ports.

The electric tugboats will be constructed by three companies: Bay Houston Towing, Signet Maritime, and Suderman & Young Towing. In addition to the tugboats, the grant will support the development of several other zero-emission equipment, including electric forklifts, a battery-powered electric sweeper truck, and a shore energy upgrade package for an existing dock.

The grant will also fund the conversion of two diesel-powered boats to operate on zero-emission systems. These advancements are expected to make a significant impact on reducing annual emissions at the Port of Corpus Christi, cutting down 186 tonnes of NOx emissions, 3 tonnes of particulate matter, and 650 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Towboats typically operate in or near port areas, making it crucial for them to transition to greener technologies. Shipping is responsible for 80% of global cargo traffic and contributes about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As many international ports implement stricter environmental regulations, the demand for sustainable and low-emission solutions is growing.

The Turkish company Sanmar, the largest electric tugboat manufacturer globally, recently announced the construction of four new electric tugboats for an oil company, reflecting the broader industry trend toward greener operations.

The electric tugboats being developed at the Port of Corpus Christi will be among the most advanced in the United States. One of the tugboats, being built by Suderman & Young Towing, is set to become the most powerful electric tugboat in the country. The 30-meter-long, 13.5-meter-wide vessel will feature a battery capacity of 8,500 kilowatts and a towing capacity of over 100 metric tons.

This will allow the tugboat to assist large crude oil tankers at the port. Sanmar’s latest electric tugboats, which are around 25 meters long and 13 meters wide, are also equipped with advanced energy systems designed to optimize towing power and speed, further pushing the boundaries of sustainable shipping technology.