Alternative Fuels

Crowley christens US first fully electric tugboat “eWolf” at Port of San Diego

eTug features a fully integrated electrical package for battery energy storage by ABB with advanced technology for mariner safety and will enter commercial service this week.

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2024

Admin

Crowley christens US first fully electric tugboat “eWolf” at Port of San Diego

US-owned maritime, energy and logistics solutions company Crowley on Wednesday (26 June) said it christened the eWolf, America’s first all-electric ship assist harbor tugboat.

Built by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala., the 82-foot vessel delivers 70 tonnes of bollard pull – stronger than its conventional predecessor.

The eTug also features a fully integrated electrical package for battery energy storage by ABB with advanced technology for mariner safety. The eTug will enter commercial service this week.

“The eWolf is a historic milestone in the maritime industry and Crowley’s legacy, and underscores our company’s commitment to serve as global sustainability leaders and innovators,” said Tom Crowley, Chairman and CEO.

“The all-electric tugboat is the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind, and eWolf will help our customers and communities reach their decarbonisation goals while delivering capabilities that strengthen our vital supply chain.”

“We congratulate the people whose tireless dedication brought the eWolf to fruition with our partners at the federal, state and local government, setting a new standard not just in America, but globally.”

“Crowley’s first-of-its-kind electric tugboat is a game changer. It checks all the boxes by providing environmental, economic, and operational benefits for our communities and maritime industry,” said Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Chairman.

“This is truly a story of teamwork and collaboration. We are proud to work with Crowley and our state and local partners on this and other electrification initiatives at and around our port, including electric cargo handling equipment like our all-electric mobile harbor cranes, our microgrid, vessel shore power, and more.”

eWolf is supported by a new microgrid shoreside charging station that enables the tug to operate at full performance daily on electricity.

Crowley was joined at the vessel christening by project partners including the Port of San Diego, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Maritime Administration. The collaborative effort among federal, state and local partners to decarbonise the port furthers the shared goal of improving air quality for San Diego.

“SDAPCD is proud to have provided funding for the eWolf project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transitioning from traditional diesel-powered vessels to electric propulsion systems,” said Shu, City of La Mesa Councilmember and SDAPCD Governing Board Chair.

“The eWolf exemplifies how collaboration between government and private partners can drive meaningful change, contributing significantly to a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.”

The company chose eWolf’s name in a nod to a tugboat in the company’s initial fleet, the Sea Wolf, which operated more than a century ago in California.

Photo credit: Crowley
Published: 27 June, 2024

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Methanol

China: Xiamen issues safety guidelines for methanol bunkering operations

New guidelines establish safety requirements across the full methanol bunkering process, supporting the expansion of green marine fuel supplies at Xiamen Port.

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Xiamen Free Trade Zone on Monday (10 August) said its Administrative Committee recently jointly issued the Safety Guidelines for Marine Methanol Fuel Bunkering in Xiamen Waters with Xiamen Port Authority and Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, establishing a framework for methanol bunkering operations in the port.

The guidelines are the first safety operating standard in Fujian province specifically covering marine methanol fuel bunkering. They apply to methanol bunkering operations conducted by bunker vessels in Xiamen waters and set out safety requirements covering the entire operation, from preparation through completion.

The guidelines specify requirements for bunkering companies, equipment and materials used on bunker vessels, hose inspection intervals, personnel certification and personal protective equipment.

They also require operators to conduct dedicated risk assessments and prepare emergency response plans before operations begin. During bunkering, operators must maintain continuous monitoring and comply with specified weather restrictions. After completion, pipelines must undergo procedures including purging and inerting.

Xiamen Port has previously carried out ship-to-ship bunkering of biofuels and LNG. The new guidelines provide a regulatory framework and operational basis for methanol bunkering and are intended to support the safe and orderly conduct of such operations.

The move is also expected to help Xiamen Port expand its market and bunkering capacity for green marine fuels.

Photo credit: Woo Winter on Unsplash
Published: 13 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

Bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

South Korea’s Polaris Shipping orders tri-fuel bulk carriers for Vale charter deal

South Korean shipowner Polaris Shipping recently said it has signed a newbuilding contract for four tri-fuel vessels with Chinese shipbuilder Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry on 4 August.

The 210,000-dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers, which will be delivered sequentially from 2031, will be equipped with WinGD-developed engines capable of using methanol, ethanol and heavy fuel oil as marine fuels.

The vessels are also designed as LNG- and ammonia-ready ships, allowing them to be converted to LNG or ammonia propulsion in the future.

Polaris Shipping also plans to significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by applying various energy-saving technologies, including wind-assist propulsion systems, rotor sails, departure optimisation and land-based systems, to the vessels.

Polaris Shipping has completed a 25-year long-term charter contract for the bulk carriers with Brazilian iron ore producer Vale.

Polaris Shipping plans to sign construction contracts for up to four additional 210,000-dwt eco-friendly Newcastlemax bulk carriers with Chinese shipbuilder Hengli Heavy Industries in the near future. The Newcastlemax bulk carriers ordered from Hengli will be built as high-efficiency, environmentally friendly vessels to replace the company’s existing older bulk carriers.

Photo credit: Polaris Shipping
Published: 13 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

“Green Pearl”, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18.

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Admin

Axpo and Vitol debut LNG bunkering operation at Italy’s largest cruise port

Switzerland’s energy producer Axpo on Wednesday (12 August) said it has completed the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation with Vitol at the Port of Civitavecchia in Italy, refuelling a flagship vessel of a leading international cruise line.

The company said Italy’s premier cruise port and Europe’s second largest now joins Genoa and Naples in offering LNG bunkering services.

“This represents an important milestone in the development of infrastructure and services for alternative maritime fuels in Italian ports,” Axpo said.

Green Pearl, a 7,500 m³ Italian bunkering vessel operated by Axpo, safely conducted the ship-to-ship refuelling operation on Sunday morning at Civitavecchia’s berth 18. Operated by Axpo, Green Pearl was brought into service in 2026 and is dedicated to ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck bunkering operations in Italian ports.

Axpo Italia CEO Simone Demarchi, said: “This latest operation shows the ability of our supply chain to grow rapidly and meet the needs of leading international cruise lines. Over the coming years, the shipping and cruise sectors will be called upon to accelerate their decarbonisation journey. Today, LNG is one of the most substantial and readily available solutions to help support this transition.”

Vitol Head of Small Scale LNG & LNG Bunkering Stefan Dubbeldam, added: “LNG and bio-LNG have a key role to play in reducing emissions from bunkering. Vitol is globally invested throughout the value chain, from upstream bio-LNG and LNG production and offtake, through to solutions for customers through our LNG Bunker Vessel fleet.”

The extension of Axpo’s coverage to Civitavecchia, the primary seaport for Rome, follows the launch of LNG ship-to-ship bunkering at Genoa in late 2025 and Naples in May this year.

In addition to Green Pearl, the company has also chartered Alisios LNG, a new 12,500 m³ capacity bunkering vessel for low-emission fuels, which became operational in Spain last March.

Photo credit: Axpo
Published: 13 August, 2026