Infrastructure

© Elena Lebedeva

Hybrid icebreaking tug designed in St. Petersburg

The vessel is intended to perform a wide range of tasks, including participation in icebreaking operations on waterways and at berths, transportation of supplies, towing, and maneuvering ships and floating structures, according to the press service of the PETROBALT Design Bureau

The vessel will measure 25 meters in length and 6.8 meters in width. Its hull contours, dimensions, and overall configuration are designed to ensure effective icebreaking operations in ice thicknesses of 40 centimeters or more.

The tug is primarily battery-powered. In severe ice conditions, such as when operating in solid ice or when battery charge is low, power is supplied by diesel generators installed onboard.

An electric propulsion system with a variable-frequency drive provides enhanced maneuverability, strong icebreaking capability, and an extended cruising range without the use of diesel fuel. The installed battery capacity enables a cruising range of more than 100 kilometers without recharging, which is sufficient for routine operational tasks.

It is noted that the tug’s key advantage is its optimal combination of environmentally friendly battery operation and the endurance of diesel generators under demanding conditions. The hybrid propulsion system allows operators select the most efficient power source depending on mission requirements, ice conditions, maneuvering needs, or transit operations.