New harbour tug for Seabulk features hybrid electric setup

Seabulk recently commissioned a new hybrid harbour tug, Seabulk Spartan, built by Alabama-based Master Boat Builders and equipped with a hybrid electric system from Sweden’s Berg Propulsion.

The Robert Allan-designed RApport 3000 is the first of two 90-tonne bollard pull tugs with the Berg systems on board and is already operating in Port Arthur, Texas. The second vessel will be commissioned during the third quarter. The Seabulk Spartan has Berg MTA 628 azimuthing thrusters, VS3 variable frequency drives with motors, a hybrid control system, a switchboard with full power management and control of twin Caterpillar 3512E EPA Tier 4 1,875-kW main engines and gensets – two CAT C18s and one C7.1. Installation at the shipyard was handled by Berg’s distributor and partner in the area, Thompson Marine.

The Berg setup offers a high degree of redundancy and flexibility, with easy switching between various operating modes, the Swedish company said. This includes running on a single genset when in transit, and hybrid operation on projects to optimise fuel consumption, manoeuvring response and bollard performance.

Seabulk president and CEO, Daniel Thorogood, commented: “During the first weeks in operation, Spartan has been living up to the promises made for hybrid propulsion vessels. Seabulk’s commitment to improving the sustainability of its operations is represented by its investment in a new generation of vessels whose flexibility is proving that hybrid tug technology is our choice.”

Master Boat Builders’ president, Garrett Rice, said: “This has been a landmark delivery for Master Boat Builders in next generation tug construction, and a testament to the value of teamwork. The approach was collaborative, and we look forward to completing work on the second of these innovative Seabulk tugboats later this year.”