The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has unveiled Volta 1, Europe’s first fully electric tugboat, marking a major milestone in its journey toward climate-neutral port operations by 2050. This pioneering vessel forms part of a comprehensive green fleet renewal strategy and highlights the port's leadership in integrating low-emission maritime technologies.
⚓ Innovation on Water: Volta 1 in Detail
The Volta 1 is a Reversed Stern Drive (RSD) tugboat engineered for maximum flexibility, stability, and zero-emission performance. Powered by 2,782 MWh lithium-titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries, it can operate for up to 12 hours on a full charge, delivered via a dedicated 1.5 MW high-capacity charging station. The tug’s 70-ton towing capacity matches that of conventional diesel vessels, proving that zero-emission maritime solutions can meet the most demanding port operations.
🔄 Fleet Renewal and Emission Reduction
Volta 1 enters service alongside five new energy-efficient RSD tugs, replacing older units and targeting the tug fleet's dominant share (85%) of port-related CO₂ emissions. This coordinated renewal is part of the port's integrated greening programme, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable logistics and clean port operations.
🌱 A Multi-Fuel Future
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, already the world's fifth-largest bunker port, is positioning itself as a multi-fuel hub. The launch of Volta 1 follows earlier milestones such as the Hydrotug (hydrogen-powered) and Methatug (methanol-powered). These real-world pilots enable side-by-side comparison of fuels in terms of emissions, costs, autonomy, and operational performance, offering vital insights for scaling future solutions.
🤝 Partnerships in Sustainability
The electric tugboats were built by Damen Shipyards Group, a long-time innovation partner of the port. After being constructed in Vietnam and transported over 10,000 km to Belgium, the vessels were prepared for deployment with charging infrastructure, technical setup, and crew training in Antwerp. This milestone showcases the value of international cooperation in maritime innovation.
“Volta 1 is a powerful example of our strategy to integrate sustainable technology into daily port operations. We are taking concrete steps to lead the maritime sector into the energy transition,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
📏 Technical Specifications
- Length: 24.73 m
- Width: 13.13 m
- Depth: 6.5 m
- Weight: 607 tons
- Towing Power: 70 tons
- Speed: 12 knots
- Battery: 2,782 MWh LTO
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Sailing Autonomy: 12 hours
🚢 Towards a Climate-Neutral Port by 2050
The launch of Volta 1 is more than a technical achievement—it is a strategic enabler of the EU’s Green Deal goals and port decarbonisation ambitions. It demonstrates how electrification of port service vessels is not only feasible but effective in high-performance environments.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges continues to lead by example, showing how systematic investment in zero-emission technologies can transform traditional sectors and serve as a catalyst for broader transport and logistics decarbonisation across Europe.
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Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.
