According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), maritime transport emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for about 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As engineers are working to green up cargo ships with the help of low-carbon fuels, smaller vessels are also beginning to undergo sustainable overhauls.

The future of sustainable tugboats, for example, is just around the corner thanks to Crowley Maritime Corporation, which has recently revealed their design for eWolf — the world’s first all-electric harbor tugboat, due to hit the water over the next two years.

“The eWolf represents everything Crowley stands for: innovation, sustainability and performance. With this groundbreaking tug design, our team continues to embrace our role as leaders in the maritime industry while providing our customers with innovative and sustainable solutions done right,” said company CEO Tom Crowley.

As noted by Inhabitat, the name eWolf is a nod to the first tug purchased by the company’s founder over a century ago, dubbed the Sea Wolf. But unlike its predecessor, eWolf will do the job while replacing a standard tugboat that consumes 30,000 gallons of diesel per year.

According to Crowley, the electric tugboat’s first ten years of operation will prevent the emission of 178 tons of nitrogen oxide, 2.5 tons of diesel particulate matter, and 3,100 metric tons of CO2, compared to today’s typical tug.

“This vessel will set a standard in the U.S. maritime industry for sustainability and performance, and its zero-emissions capability and autonomous technology will benefit the environment and the safety of mariners and vessels,” said Garret Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, a partner in the project.

Image source: Crowley Maritime Corporation