Earlier this month (Oct 08), a new hybrid-powered icebreaking escort tug was launched by GONDAN Shipbuilders in Figueres, Spain. This is an important step for GONDAN Shipbuilders in unique compact icebreaker development.

Powerful Tundra 3600-H Icebreaker Tug Designed for Swedish Port Launched in Spain

Designed by Robert Allan Ltd., the new vessel is a TundRA 3600-H class icebreaker tug which reflects the generations of experience in the design of ice-class vessels by Robert Allan Ltd. It is fully customized for the Sweden’s Port of Luleå operational requirements and is designed to perform icebreaking, ice management, escort, ship-assist, coastal towing, fire-fighting and navigation aids service duties.

The new tug has been designed as a compact icebreaker capable of breaking 1 metre of ice at a speed of up to 3 knots. Special consideration was made for operation in the extreme climate conditions and ice-infested waters of the northern Gulf of Bothnia. Design customization of the tug was accomplished in close and very productive cooperation with Port of Luleå management, technical specialists and operators.

The TundRA 3600-H has the following vessel particulars:

  • Length overall: 36.0 m
  • Breadth, moulded: 13.0 m
  • Depth, least moulded: 6.7 m
  • Draft, Navigational: 7.0 m
  • Propulsion Power (Hybrid Boost Mode): 2 x 3,100 kW
  • Bollard Pull up to 100 tonnes

The purpose of the H after the traditional Robert Allan Ltd. design name is to recognize that the vessel is equipped with an innovative hybrid propulsion system featuring diesel main engines, shaft motor/generators, and electrical battery energy storage. This configuration allows effective power and fuel consumption management.

The tug will be capable of operating on the electrical battery power only or by utilizing a single main engine in the hybrid diesel-electrical mode with a bollard pull up to 55 tonnes, or on two main engines in diesel-mechanical mode with available battery boost. The resulting operational flexibility will yield significant fuel, emissions and maintenance savings. At the same time, the tug will be the most powerful icebreaking escort tug of this size in the world with hybrid/electrical propulsion.

Source: Robert Allan Ltd.