Sweden’s New Hybrid Icebreaking Tug Launched

A new hybrid-electric icebreaking escort tug for Sweden's Port of Luleå was launched on Monday at GONDAN Shipyard in Figueras, Spain.

The new Robert Allan Ltd designed tug, Vilja, is a RAL TundRA 3600-H class icebreaking design fully customized for the Port of Luleå operational requirements. The vessel is designed to perform icebreaking – it is capable of breaking 1 meter of ice at a speed of up to 3 knots – ice management, escort, ship assist, coastal towing, firefighting and navigation aids service duties.

This 36-meter tug with a hull structure that exceeds Finnish-Swedish ice class rules and has high environmental standards will be classed by Lloyd’s Register.

The vessel will be equipped with an innovative hybrid propulsion system that will include two diesel main engines, shaft generators/motors and batteries for energy storage. This configuration will provide operational flexibility that will produce significant fuel, emissions and maintenance savings.

In addition, with an expected bollard pull of about 100 metric tons in diesel-mechanical mode when including battery boost capacity, this tug will be the most powerful icebreaking escort tug of this size in the world with hybrid/electrical propulsion.