Electric tug named one of best inventions
The world’s first full-sized electric tugboat has been named one of Time magazine’s best inventions for 2022.
Named Sparky, the tugboat was the result of a six-year collaboration between Ports of Auckland and Dutch company Damen Shipyards.
Time’s list was compiled from nominations from all over the world, with a particular focus on the electric vehicle industry, green energy and the metaverse.
Sparky is anticipated to save about 465 tonnes of CO2 in diesel emissions annually. Sparky was a dream come true, Ports of Auckland general manager Allan D’Souza said.
‘‘Back in 2016, when we first pitched the idea for a fully electric tugboat, we were told we were dreaming. To see Sparky in real life and outperforming expectations is brilliant,’’ he said.
‘‘It is all smiles now but it was not all plain sailing, there were challenges along the way when Covid-19 hit, borders closed and we could not get to the ship building yard to see her progress in person. To see her moving ships for us is wonderful.’’
The expected cost of operating Sparky was less than a third of the cost of running a diesel tug.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray said he was ‘‘delighted’’ with the outcome.
‘‘Sparky is the first e-tugboat of its type in the world and was a truly innovative project for us.
‘‘She is helping us step towards the ports’ decarbonisation of operations and towards our long-term emissions reduction goals, Gray said.