3GA Marine Ltd. designed HYBRID ELECTRIC TUG to be built for Seaforth Environmental Services by TRX Marine

3GA Marine Ltd. (3GA Marine), a leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm, has been contracted by Seaforth Environmental Service Ltd. (Seaforth) to design and manage the construction of a state-of-the-art, 12.0-meter hybrid electric boom tug. Collaborating with Turkish shipyard TRX Marine (TRX), this groundbreaking vessel, with its zero-emission electric propulsion, showcases the innovative spirit and environmental commitment of all three companies involved.

Using their HT120 hull form as a foundation, 3GA designed the cutting-edge tugboat specifically to meet Seaforth’s needs for environmental boom placement operations along the pristine waters of the west coast. The first of its kind in the Vancouver Port Authority, the vessel is slated for delivery in the third quarter of 2024.

The tugboat’s power comes from an intelligent, compact electric propulsion system featuring next-generation battery technology. Relying on clean BC Hydro energy, the hybrid electric tug achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and substantial fuel cost savings. The hybrid power system combines electric propulsion and a diesel generator, allowing the vessel to operate 95-100 per cent of the time on electric power during harbour duties, greatly minimizing diesel usage.

A 294-kWh energy storage system provides power for both propulsion and operational tasks. The design offers long-term advantages, such as easily upgradable battery technology, reduced fuel consumption, and major maintenance reductions. As a result, GHG emissions, including NOx and SOx, are significantly decreased. Additionally, the near-silent operation of the vessel has a positive impact on both shoreline ecosystems and marine life.

3GA Marine has worked closely with Transport Canada during the construction phase, hosting virtual inspections of the hull throughout construction. 3GA Marine has worked with software developers to configure the technology to set up virtual meetings utilizing mixed reality goggles with RemoteSpark software. Through RemoteSpark, 3GA Marine is capable of hosting meetings with multiple shareholders online worldwide to view real time video. The Hololens goggles are worn by TRX staff on site, who are guided by a pre-determined agenda of areas of interest for inspection. During the inspection, the Hololens operator can be directed through the Hololens audio, if there are areas where closer visual inspection is requested.

The Hololens virtual inspection capability that 3GA Marine provides owners is a huge cost savings to the project. Without the need for multiple staff and class surveyors to travel to site, the virtual inspections expedite the inspection process while still ensuring that all parties involved are satisfied with the progress and the workmanship of the vessels’ fabrication. This advancement in technology will serve owners, operators, surveyors, engineers, and others as a valuable aid during construction, during inspections, and can be utilized once the vessel is delivered.

3GA Marine has worked with Seaforth, TRX, and Transport Canada with this new emerging hybrid technology, resolving emerging challenges as they develop, to have a Transport Canada approved design. This vessel is planned to be the first of many fit for purpose vessels that can be designed to suit an owners requirements.

This pioneering project highlights 3GA Marine’s industry-leading expertise in naval architecture and marine engineering, and it demonstrates the fruitful collaboration between 3GA, Seaforth, and TRX in driving the maritime industry towards a greener, more sustainable future.

For more information or inquiries, please contact Daniel McIntyre, Vice President, 3GA Marine Ltd. – dmcintyre@3gamarine.com.

Vessel Details (3GA Marine Hull HT-120-12-52)