Corvus Energy to supply battery systems for 10 new hybrid tugboats servicing the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority ordered ten (10) hybrid tractor tugboats from European shipbuilder, Astilleros Armón, with options for another 10 similar vessels, and MBF Member, Corvus Energy will supply the battery systems for the hybrid-electric vessels.

The contract between the Panama Canal Authority and Astilleros Armón for the first ten vessels, each 30-meter tugboats with 70-tonnes bollard pull, was signed in October 2023 and valued at US$150M.

Hybrid Electric Propulsion

The tugboats will be equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion systems to reduce emissions during ship towage through the Panama Canal and while docking in Panamanian ports. Corvus Energy will provide battery energy storage systems, 450 kWh of Corvus Orca ESS, for each vessel.

“Corvus Energy is pleased to have been selected to supply the battery systems for this landmark project for the Panama Canal Authority and Astilleros Armón,” says Corvus Energy CEO, Fredrik Witte. “The Panama Canal is a world-renowned, high-traffic waterway, and battery systems in hybrid-electric tugs have been proven to significantly decrease vessel emissions. The new fleet represents an important step in supporting the Panama Canal Authority’s sustainability strategy and ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050.”(source)