After more than a century in business, tugboat pioneers at Crowley Maritime Corporation have revealed their design for the world’s first all-electric harbor tugboat, due to hit the water in 2023. As electric vehicles of all types continue to hit innovative strides, the eWolf will lead the marine industry in the fuel-free charge towards sustainable waterways.
“The eWolf represents everything Crowley stands for: innovation, sustainability and performance. With this groundbreaking tug design, our team continues to embrace our role as leaders in the maritime industry while providing our customers with innovative and sustainable solutions done right,” said company chairman and CEO Tom Crowley.
Related: Sneci houseboat leaves no footprint while floating on Lake Tisza
The name eWolf gives a nod to the first tug purchased by the company’s founder over 100 years ago. Yet unlike its predecessor, dubbed the Sea Wolf, eWolf will do the job while replacing a standard tugboat that eats up 30,000 gallons of diesel per year.
Crowley is looking to the future to do their part in decarbonization within the marine industry, estimating the first 10 years of use will save the environment 178 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 2.5 tons of diesel particulate matter and 3,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) versus today’s typical tug.
eWolf will be built in a partnership with Master Boat Builders in Coden, Alabama. Plans also include a tugboat charging station being developed by Cochran Marine. eWolf’s home base will be at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders said, “This vessel will set a standard in the U.S. maritime industry for sustainability and performance, and its zero-emissions capability and autonomous technology will benefit the environment and the safety of mariners and vessels.”
The project is a collaboration with several entities who share the common goal of turning the tide on wasteful and polluting boats. In fact, in addition to Crowley, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board, the Port of San Diego, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Maritime Administration, all helped the idea float.
“We envision the eWolf to be the first of multiple additional eTugs that can be deployed and adapted based on individual port needs and alternative energy sources. With the industry’s demands for sustainable operations and decarbonization, the design package can be replicated in multiple ports — especially when coupled with the shoreside solution developed for the eWolf,” said Porter Sesnon, director of business development at Crowley.
Images via Crowley
from INHABITAT https://ift.tt/3s6vsz8
via IFTTT
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario