The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has launched the Volta 1, which it states is Europe’s first fully electric tugboat.
Fully electric operations
The reversed stern drive (RSD) vessel’s 2,782MWh lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries can be recharged in two hours via a 1.5MW charging station. With this battery capacity, the Volta 1 is emission-free and can cruise for up to 12 hours.
Developed in cooperation with Damen, the Volta 1 is 24.73m long, 13.13m wide and has a depth of 6.5m. It also weighs 607 tons and has a top speed of 12kts. The Volta 1 RSD tugboat has been designed on a double bow principle and equipped with a patented Twin Fin skeg for improved stability and maneuverability. As a result, it can be used flexibly as a front and back tugboat. Its towing power of 70 tons “guarantees the same performance as a traditional diesel tugboat”, the port says.
A climate-neutral port
The launch forms part of the port’s integrated greening program, which aims to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2050. The port highlights that the Volta 1 – along with the five other energy-efficient RSD tugs, which were recently commissioned – will replaces older vessels, because the current tug service is responsible for nearly 85% of port-related COâ‚‚ emissions.
As the fifth-largest bunker port in the world, Port of Antwerp-Bruges also aims to become a full-fledged multi-fuel port. It therefore wants to offer low-carbon alternatives in addition to bio- and conventional fuels. Over the past year and a half, the port introduced the world’s first hydrogen and methanol-powered tugs. By testing these technologies side by side in the field, Port of Antwerp-Bruges plans to determine which solution scores best in terms of emissions, cost, autonomy and performance.
Sustainable development
Damen Shipyards Group began construction of the six RSD tugs for Port of Antwerp-Bruges in 2023 in Vietnam. After a journey of more than 10,000km, the ships arrived in Antwerp in November 2024. There they were prepared for operational deployment, including a technical startup, crew training and installation of charging infrastructure. The official launch of the Volta 1 is the culmination of this journey.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stated, “The Volta 1 is a powerful example of our strategy to actively integrate sustainable technology into our operations. As a global port, we are taking our responsibility to pull the maritime sector into the energy transition. The Volta 1, together with the Hydrotug, Methatug and RSD tugs, represents a tangible step toward a climate-neutral port by 2050.”
Johan Klaps, vice mayor for the Port and Economy City of Antwerp and president of the board for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said, “Achieving this European first in the year when we are also celebrating 150 years of tug service makes it both symbolic and historic. It shows how our port and region continue to invest in sustainable innovation. Even in challenging times, we resolutely choose the future and take a leadership role.”
Vincent Maes, sales manager for Benelux Damen, added, “We are delighted and very honored to have been able to deliver the latest additions to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges tug fleet: five brand new and efficient diesel tugs equipped with aftertreatment systems and an innovative electric tug, all of type RSD2513. This delivery is perfectly in line with our ongoing commitment to better ships and technological progress. We are delighted that this allows us to contribute to achieving the port’s ambitious sustainability targets.”
In related news, the six energy-efficient tugboats recently arrived at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, including the electric Volta 1. Click here to read the full story