SCHOTTEL in methanol tug first

The two vessels, SD Aisemaht and SD Qwiy Aanitsa Sarah, are currently in the final stages of construction at Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey and are expected to begin service in Q3 2025.

Designed by Robert Allan and commissioned by KOTUG Canada, the tugs will support the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, escorting crude oil tankers through the ecologically sensitive Salish Sea.

“These tugs, propelled by modern climate-friendly SCHOTTEL propulsion systems, exhibit the aspirations of the British Columbia tug market to improve environmental performance of shipping activity,” said Laurens Korporaal, business development manager at KOTUG Canada. “We are pleased to implement these green solutions.”

Each tug features two SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers (SRP 710) and one TransverseThruster (STT 170), enabling speeds up to 14 knots and a record-setting bollard pull of over 120 tonnes, making them reportedly the most powerful escort tugs in Canadian waters.

SCHOTTEL says its SYDRIVE-M mechanical hybrid system reduces engine operating hours and fuel consumption without the need for extra electrical components. Additionally, the hulls are coated with graphene paint to cut underwater radiated noise and improve fuel efficiency.