The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has launched the ‘Volta 1’, which it says is Europe’s first fully electric tugboat, marking an important step in the port’s integrated greening programme, with the ultimate goal of climate-neutral operation by 2050.
Developed in close cooperation with Damen, the tug follows previous firsts such as the Hydrotug (hydrogen-driven) and the Methatug (methanol-driven).
Volta 1 is a Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tugboat designed on a double bow principle and equipped with a patented twin fin skeg for optimal stability and manoeuvrability. As a result, it can be used flexibly as a front and back tugboat. With its battery capacity of 2,782 MWh, recharged in as little as two hours via a 1.5MW charging station, the Volta 1 is completely emission-free and can cruise for up to 12 hours. Its towing power of 70t guarantees the same performance as a traditional diesel tug boat.
Volta 1 is part of a broader renewal of the port’s towage fleet. With five other new energy-efficient RSD tugs, it replaces older vessels. The towage service, previously responsible for nearly 85% of port-related CO₂ emissions, is thus undergoing a greening process. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges says it strives to integrate the most environmentally friendly technologies, as part of its ambition to be climate neutral by 2050.
As the fifth-largest bunker port in the world, Port of Antwerp-Bruges also aims to become a full-fledged multi-fuel port. It therefore wants to offer low-carbon alternatives in addition to bio- and conventional fuels. Over the past year and a half, the port introduced the world’s first hydrogen and methanol-powered tugs. By testing these technologies side by side in the field, Port of Antwerp-Bruges can determine which solution scores best in terms of emissions, cost, autonomy and performance. In doing so, it considers the port a pioneer in the international energy transition and hopes to inspire other ports and sectors to take action.
The partnership with Damen Shipyards Group plays a key role in this transition. Damen, which built the world’s first electric tugboat in 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand, began construction of the six RSD tugs for Port of Antwerp-Bruges in 2023 in Vietnam. After a journey of more than 10,000km, the ships arrived in Antwerp in November 2024. There they were prepared for operational deployment, including a technical start-up, crew training and installation of charging infrastructure. The official launch of the Volta 1 is the culmination of this journey.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said: “The Volta 1 is a powerful example of our strategy to actively integrate sustainable technology into our operations. As a global port, we are taking our responsibility to pull the maritime sector into the energy transition. The Volta 1, together with the Hydrotug, Methatug and RSD tugs, represents a tangible step towards a climate-neutral port by 2050.”
Vincent Maes, Damen Sales Manager Benelux, added: “We are delighted and very honoured to have been able to deliver the latest additions to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges tug fleet: five brand new and efficient diesel tugs equipped with after-treatment systems and an innovative electric tug, all of type RSD2513. This delivery is perfectly in line with our ongoing commitment to better ships and technological progress. We are delighted that this allows us to contribute to achieving the port’s ambitious sustainability targets.”
The Volta 1 is 24.73m long, 13.13m wide with a depth of 6.5m. It has 2,782 MWh of lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries which can be charged in 2 hours, giving 12 hours of sailing capacity.
Image: ‘Volta 1’ electric RSD tug (source: Port of Antwerp-Bruges)
