World-first methanol tug stripped of methanol gensets

Hailed as the world’s first battery-electric methanol tug, Svitzer’s Balder has had its methanol gensets replaced with traditional diesel.

“After comprehensive testing and review, we have decided to remove the methanol engines and replace them with additional range-extender engines,” head of Communications at Svitzer Thomas Grondorf told Maritime Journal. “The methanol gensets had technical difficulties and performance uncertainties. At Svitzer, we need reliable and durable technical solutions to serve our customers.”

Grondorf would not give further details of the technical difficulties and performance uncertainties experienced.

“Svitzer Balder remains the largest battery-driven escort tug, featuring a 6,000-kWh battery, but is now powered by three range-extender diesel engines generating 2,700 kWh,” he said.

In September 2024, Svitzer contracted Turkish shipyard Uzmar to build what it called ‘a first of its kind battery-methanol tug’ to be delivered in the second half of 2025. It was based on the Robert Allan TRAnsverse design with a 6MWh battery ‘supported by dual-fuel methanol engines for back-up and range extension’.

“This masterpiece represents a massive leap toward environmental friendly maritime operations, proving that power and sustainability can lead the way together,” said Uzmar, on the nomination of the vessel for the International Tug & Salvage awards this year.

“Svitzer Balder was initially an innovation project aimed at creating a battery-powered TRAnsverse escort tug, equipped with both methanol and diesel range-extender engines,” said Grondorf. “As expected with innovation, our understanding improved over time. Balder is still methanol-ready, meaning we can reinstall the methanol gensets once the technical solution’s performance is proven.”

Despite the growing noise around alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol, the reality is that it has not happened yet.

The number of methanol-powered tugs can be counted on one hand, and not all of those are strictly operational.

Methatug has operated at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges since May 2024 under the ‘European Fastwater Project, ‘which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable fuel for shipping’.

The port had not replied to Maritime Journal’s request for an update at the time of publishing.

While methanol may be taking a back seat, Svitzer is still treating battery propulsion seriously, at least where Balder is concerned, with 90% of the tug’s operations expected to be carried out using the battery-electric powertrain, according to Grondorf.