Posted on June 23, 2021
Crowley Maritime Corporationโs ship assist and harbor escort services group has taken delivery of Apollo, a powerful and maneuverable 78-foot long tugboat that delivers an estimated 94 tons of bollard pull and will operate on biofuel.
The tugboat has completed final outfitting at shipbuilder Diversified Marine Inc. in Portland, Ore., and will deploy soon to serve the San Francisco Bay. The Apollo, and sister tug operated by Crowley, Hercules, were designed by Robert Allan Ltd. to be the most powerful tugs in the U.S. under 80 foot long.
As sustainability requirements become more important in California and other ports while container ships become larger, Apollo will be well-suited for the Bay Area market. Operating on biofuel, the vesselโs fuel-efficient and lower carbon footprint results from a pair of Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines that meet federal mandates and the State of Californiaโs environmental regulations.
โWith all the congestion in the ports of California, performance is a No. 1 concern for customers. Crowleyโs newest tug will continue to make harbor escort and ship assist efficient for ship operators while meeting and exceeding current demands for sustainability,โ said Crowley Vice President Paul Manzi. โManeuverability improves safety and allows for more efficient service.โ
โWith Apollo, we have a rare mix of high performance with an efficient design with lower carbon footprint. Itโs leading the way in California and showing the industry whatโs possible in light of the sustainability push thatโs taking place,โ he added.
