The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has launched Volta 1, Europe’s first fully electric tug, developed in partnership with Damen Shipyards. The new double-ended RSD tug has a 2,782 MWh battery and can operate for up to 12 hours without recharging, delivering a bollard pull of 70 tonnes – the same as its diesel counterparts. Charging takes just two hours via a 1.5 MW charging station.
Volta 1 is part of the port’s fleet modernisation and CO₂ reduction programme, which also includes five new energy-efficient tugs. The tug fleet accounts for almost 85% of the port’s emissions, making its renewal key to achieving the port’s 2050 climate neutrality target. Volta 1 joins the previously launched Hydrotug (hydrogen) and Methatug (methanol), enabling practical comparisons between different sustainable fuels.
The vessels were built at the Damen shipyard in Vietnam and arrived in Belgium in November 2024. Following preparation and crew training, Volta 1 has become a symbol of sustainable innovation and the 150th anniversary of the port’s tug service. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges Management notes that this project reinforces the port’s status as a leader in the international energy transition and sets a direction for the entire industry.