The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has unveiled Volta 1, Europe’s first fully electric tugboat, as part of its broader effort to accelerate maritime decarbonisation. Built by the Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group, the vessel is designed to deliver diesel-equivalent performance while operating with zero emissions.
The Volta 1 is a Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tugboat, enabling towing at both the bow and stern. It is powered by a 2,782 MWh battery system that allows up to 12 hours of sailing time and can be recharged in two hours via a 1.5 MW fast-charging station. With a tractive force of 70 tonnes, the electric tug matches the capabilities of its diesel counterparts. It measures 24.73 metres in length, 13.13 metres in width, has a depth of 6.5 metres, and a top speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).
“The Volta 1 is a powerful example of our strategy to actively integrate sustainable technology into our operations,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. “As a global port, we are taking our responsibility to pull the maritime sector into the energy transition.”
The launch of the Volta 1 follows the port’s introduction of other low-emission tugboats, including the hydrogen-powered Hydrotug and the methanol-fuelled Methatug. Vandermeiren described these vessels as “a tangible step towards a climate-neutral port by 2050.”
The port aims to evolve into a “multi-fuel port,” providing a range of low-carbon fuel alternatives in addition to traditional and bio-based fuels. Damen Shipyards, known for its work on electric and hybrid ferries in Canada, marks the Volta 1 as its first foray into electric tugboats.
