Schottel propels H2 tug

The Hydrotug, which will be among the cleanest of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’s fleet, has recently be launched by Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon and will begin operations in early 2023.

“With the Hydrotug, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is making an important step in the transition to a sustainable, CO2-neutral port,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, chief executive at Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

“The port is systematically pursuing a policy of making its entire fleet eco-friendly by incorporating the most environment-friendly technologies available on the market.”

The main propulsion system of the 31 metre tug comprises two Schottel RudderPropellers type SRP 460 (2,000 kW each) with a propeller diameter of 2.4 metres, giving a bollard pull of around 65 tonnes.

The SRP units are driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. Combustion of hydrogen does not emit any CO2, and the particle filter combined with the catalyser will result in minimal emissions of NOx and particulates.