Panama Canal Authority orders 10 hybrid-electric tractor tugboats

The Panama Canal Authority has ordered 10 hybrid tractor tugboats from European shipbuilder Astilleros Armón, with options for another 10 similar vessels.

Hybrid electric propulsion

The contract, signed in October 2023, was valued at US$150m for the first 10 vessels. The tugboats – each 30m with 70-metric ton bollard pull – will be equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion systems to reduce emissions during ship towage through the Panama Canal and while docking in Panamanian ports. Corvus Energy will provide battery energy storage systems, 450kWh of Corvus Orca ESS, for each vessel.

Expanding ship-handling capabilities in the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal expansion resulted in larger container ships, LNG carriers, cruise ships, tankers and dry bulk carriers using the shipping shortcut. As a result, the Panama Canal Authority is seeking to enhance its ship-handling capabilities with more powerful tugboats and pilot vessels, modernize its fleet and replace tugs it charters from other owners.

In related news, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and Nihon Shipyard (NSY) recently entered into a contract for the construction of three next-generation, environmentally friendly post-Panamax bulkers. Click here to read the full story.