Two new Indian electric tugs will feature Berg Propulsion tech

Berg Propulsion equipped electric tug. [Image: Navnautik]

Hönö, Sweden-based Berg Propulsion is set to play a key role in the construction of the next two electric tugs in India’s Green Tug Transition Program.

Under construction by the Mumbai-headquartered KMEW Group, the tugs were ordered on behalf of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for operation in the Port of Vizag

Designed by Singapore’s Navnautik Naval Architects and Marine Consultants, each tug will measure 33.55 meters in overall length, with a molded beam of 11.6 meters and a draft of 4.5 meters.

Powered by advanced lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries, with dual diesel gensets installed for back-up, each will deliver bollard pull of 60 tonnes. Both are due to enter service in fourth quarter 2027.

Berg Propulsion is supplying not only the electric motors and contra-rotating, L-type thrusters that will maximise tug manoeuvrability and control, but also a full electrical system integration package including smart operator propulsion. Berg will also handle all aspects of end-to-end project management through newly appointed Prasenjit Roy, Business Developer (India), Berg Propulsion, based in Kolkata, who will oversee commissioning and installation.

The compact design of Berg Propulsion’s powertrain makes it well-suited to an electric tug, where the battery pack and energy storage system limit space for other equipment on board a vessel crewed by 12 personnel. Berg Propulsion offered key contributions to the design process, including space saving suggestions for the final tug layout.

Amrita Singh, account manager for new sales, explains: “Working closely with Navnautik, KMEW and the client, we successfully reduced the dimensions of the switchboard room by approximately 40% by positioning most of the propulsive equipment in the aft section of each tug,” said Amrita Singh, Berg’s account manager for new sales. “Berg Propulsion has integrated electric systems, engines and thrusters aboard hybrid-electric vessels for many years, and this deep understanding of engineering and design made transferring that knowledge to a fully electric tug design straightforward. It also freed up the designer to concentrate on their core objective: ensuring that everything on board fits optimally.”

“Factoring in electric powertrains can be challenging for any naval architect or designer, given that shipboard space is at a premium,” said Navnautik’s Aniruddha Sen. “This is especially the case aboard a tug. The compact nature of Berg Propulsion’s integrated packages gave us a lot of flexibility to incorporate them into the general arrangement. The company had a clear vision regarding the onboard footprint, which also made the design phase a smooth and painless task.”