RAL delivers first battery shallow pushboat

As the world of towing makes the slow but steady transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry, owners now have an expanding range of options to choose from including alternative fuels, battery power, hybrids, mechanical power-train innovations and the after-treatment of exhaust gases.

These choices have led to vessel configurations finely tuned to suit very specific operational requirements and RAL’s latest marque, designated the RApide 2000-E, is designed to provide terminal assistance in South America’s Amazon river system, performing their core operations purely on battery power via an “innovative” battery/diesel electric arrangement.

HB Poraque, the first of a pair of similar tugs ordered for the same owner, has been delivered to leading South American logistics operator Hidrovias do Brasil S.A., by Belov Engenharia Shipyard in Salvador, Brazil. The second vessel, HB Enguia, was due to be delivered around the time of writing.

Design in detail

The RApide 2000-E design has a DC grid diesel-electric propulsion system comprising two diesel generators, two L-drives and a large battery bank. The arrangement provides for operation in zero-emissions mode, the 600kWh batteries having sufficient endurance to perform the primary role with possible future expansion to 2,000kWh, enabling secondary roles to be performed with zero emissions. The two L-drives each have an input power of 375kW and are diesel-electric to improve efficiency when operating in multiple power modes.

European contributions include two Schottel SRP201L-FP thrusters powered by two permanent magnet electric motors, the electric system designed, manufactured and integrated by WEG. Two Caterpillar C18 diesel generators provide redundancy and the capability to perform longer missions.

Principle particulars of HB Poraque and HB Enguia include: LOA 20.4m, beam moulded 10m, minimum operating draught 2.2m and normal operating draught 2.4m. The vessels are classed by DNV as inland navigation vessels and include the notation ✠ 1A, (Z), Pusher, Battery Power, Amazon/EO, BIS with MLC compliant accommodation provided for up to 10 persons.

RAL’s RApide series shallow-draught pushboats were originally designed for the shallow waters of Canada’s north land and are offered in lengths of 20m to 46m.

They can be propelled by dual, triple or quadruple conventional screws, Z-drives or, for extreme shallow applications, water jets.