RE: Similar technology for TugsSorry should have read "not just rail"
Here's the news article
Charles Mandel, Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Get ready for the latest advance in hybrid vehicles, a tug boat dubbed the Eco-Tug.
A Prince Edward Island company, Xero Point Green Technology, is developing the power system for the tug boat for American firm Foss Maritime Company, the largest operator of tug boats in the United States.
The ultra-clean tug, now nearing completion in Seattle,, will have auxiliary engines and a battery bank that will take over from the boat's diesel engines when idling. This will cut emissions by 20 to 30 per cent and allow for fuel savings in the range of 35 per cent.
"We think the demand is going to be pretty large," said John Stratton, a project manager with Xero Point. Both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., have contributed toward the development cost of the boat. The tug is expected to begin work in Los Angeles in December.
Stratton said there is both Canadian and international interest in the vessel, but he couldn't confirm any contracts yet. Nor would he confirm that reportedly it's costing $8 million to build the boat. While it's easy to shrug at the development of a cleaner tug boat, in fact, the technology is not only necessary but welcome.
A 2007 study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society said that marine vessel pollution contributes to as many as 105,000 deaths annually around the world. And ports such as Vancouver and Halifax receive more than 2,000 ship visits a year.
Stratton points out that last year Foss Maritime received a clean air excellence award for the technology from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "This is an award that only had 10 recipients in 2007 and only two of those were for technology," Stratton said. "That kind of recognition is great and underscores the impact this is certain to have in the marine industry."
Elizabeth Lord, who was co-chairwoman of a session last year at a conference called Managing Ship Emissions and Effluents, said a solution for idling boats is a great idea.
"For sure, it's a good project. Idling emissions is a big issue in marine terminals," said Lord, vice-president of operations for Montreal-based Odotech (a company that specializes in measuring odours). However, Lord cautioned that the one potential problem is that changing ships over to a newer hybrid technology could prove expensive.
Michael Smithbower, a spokesman with Port Metro Vancouver, said in principle they would support any new technology that helps reduce fuel consumption, air contaminants and greenhouse gases.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008