Ports of Auckland has signed a deal with Damen Shipyards to buy the world’s first full-size fully electric tugboat.
The six-metre tug will deliver in 2021. The Damen RSD-E Tug 2513 model has a 70-tonne bollard pull.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson said the planned purchase was part of the company’s plan to be zero emission by 2040.
“We set this goal because we recognise that urgent action is needed on climate change, and we wanted to be part of the solution. However, setting that goal created a tough challenge. We have a lot of heavy equipment, like tugs, and in 2016 there were no zero emission options,” Gibson said in a statement.
The newbuild is costing double the price of a standard diesel tug.
