Brazilian yard starts work on diesel/battery pushboats
Written by Marine Log Staff
First vessel in new series is expctedto enter service in 2022.
A new fleet of innovative diesel/battery electric pushboats for Hidrovias do Brasil S.A. has begun at the Belov Engenharia shipyard, in Salvador, Brazil. The vessel are being built to a design from Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C., and will provide terminal assistance on the Amazon River system. Delivery of the first vessel is expected in 2022.
The boats are expected to be the world’s first diesel/battery electric shallow draft pushboats when they begin operation.
The RApide 2000-E design pushboats feature a DC grid diesel-battery electric propulsion system, two diesel generators, two L-Drives and a large battery bank (600 kWh initial installation, with capability to scale up to 1,800 kWh).
The pushboats are equipped with two L-Drive units, each with an input power of 350 kW. The propulsion system is diesel-electric to improve efficiency when operating in lower power modes. The vessel is certified as an inland navigating vessel by DNV.
Dimensions are as follows:
Length overall: 20.4 meters
Beam, molded: 10.0 meters
Depth, molded: 3.2 meters
Minimum operating draft: 2.2 meters
Normal operating draft: 2.5 meters
Categories: News
