South Korean shipbuilding major HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), in collaboration with ship designer Robert Allan, has received approval in principle (AiP) from classification society ABS for an escort tug with methanol dual-fuel (DF) hybrid propulsion system.
The AiP certification was awarded for the RAstar 3500-W escort tug developed by HD KSOE and Robert Allan as part of their joint project that includes three different types of tugboats.
Specifically, the development project includes a harbor tug (AmpRA 2800) with a 6,000 kWh battery for pure electric propulsion and two escort tugs (RAstar 3200-W with electric propulsion powered by a HiMSEN methanol DF generation set and the RAstar 3500-W with hybrid propulsion using HiMSEN methanol DF propulsion engine).
The RAstar 3500-W tugboat certified by ABS measures 34.75 meters in length and has a lightship weight of approximately 833 tons. Its propulsion system includes two HiMSEN methanol DF engines (9H22CDFP-LM), supplied by HD KSOE as part of a propulsion package.
According to the shipbuilder, the tug achieves a bollard pull of around 69 tons when operating solely on the main engines. With the electric motor boost, this figure can increase to a maximum of 82 tons, offering strong towing capability and operational flexibility.
“The AIP certification for the RAstar 3500-W confirms the safety and technical readiness of its Methanol DF Hybrid Propulsion system. This achievement underscores HD KSOE’s commitment to advancing sustainable shipbuilding solutions and addressing the growing demand for low-emission vessels in the maritime industry,” HD KSOE said.
Robert Allan has also designed the RAsalvor 4400-DFM dual-fuel methanol escort tugs being built for KOTUG Canada, a partnership between KOTUG International and Canada’s Horizon Maritime, at at Sanmar Shipyard in Türkiye.
The keel-laying ceremony for two dual-fuel methanol escort tugs that will service the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) was held in May 2024.