Intelligent & Full-Electric ASD Tugs | Development & Prospect

2026-04-18 15:02:20     Category：News & Insights     Browse number：136     Release time：2026-04-18 15:02:20

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Discussion and Prospect on the Integrated Development of Intelligence and Battery-Electric Drive for Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tugs

Abstract
Driven by the strategies of intelligent shipping, green ports and Made in China 2025, azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs are undergoing an in-depth integrated upgrade towards intelligence and full electrification. Based on the Intelligent Ship Code (2024) by China Classification Society (CCS), relevant standards of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, and actual ship operation data from ports, this paper systematically sorts out the technical system, application status, quantitative advantages, core challenges and development paths of intelligent and Battery-Electric ASD tugs. It highlights exclusive characteristics such as high-frequency operations in ports, short-distance maneuvering and zero-emission operation, providing engineering references for the green and intelligent transformation of tugboats.

Key words: azimuth stern drive (ASD) tug; intelligent tug; full-electric tug; intelligent navigation; intelligent energy efficiency; autonomous berthing and unberthing; ship-shore coordination; green port

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Current Status of Intelligent and Full-Electric ASD Tug Technology

2.1 Authoritative Definition and Functional Framework

2.2 Core Technical System

2.3 Typical Applications at Home and Abroad

3 Core Advantages of Intelligent and Full-Electric ASD Tugs

3.1 Significant Improvement in Operation Efficiency

3.2 Green Zero Emission and Outstanding Environmental Benefits

3.3 Reduction in Full Life Cycle Cost

3.4 Comprehensive Enhancement of Safety

4 Challenges Faced by Intelligent and Full-Electric ASD Tugs

4.1 Imperfect Standard System

4.2 Technical and Engineering Bottlenecks

4.3 Gaps in Laws, Regulations and Liability Identification

4.4 Constraints of Investment and Supporting Facilities

5 Prospect for Development

5.1 Short-term (2026–2027)

5.2 Medium-term (2028–2029)

5.3 Long-term (After 2030)

6 Conclusion

References

1 Introduction

Azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugs are core equipment for ship assisting, escorting and emergency disposal in ports, featuring 360° omnidirectional thrust, instantaneous high torque, high-frequency start-stop and high maneuverability in restricted waters. With the maturity of technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, 5G communication, large-capacity marine lithium batteries and permanent magnet propulsion, the integration of intelligence and full electrification has become the core direction for the transformation and upgrading of the tug industry.
Intelligent and full-electric ASD tugs can significantly improve operation efficiency and safety, achieve zero emissions, reduce full life cycle costs, meet the requirements of the “dual carbon” goal and smart port construction, and has become an irreversible development trend in the industry.

2 Current Status of Intelligent and Battery-Electric ASD Tug Technology

2.1 Authoritative Definition and Functional Framework

According to the Intelligent Ship Code (2024) by China Classification Society (CCS), intelligent ships are equipped with six functions: intelligent navigation, intelligent hull, intelligent engine room, intelligent energy efficiency management, intelligent cargo management and intelligent integrated platform. For azimuth stern drive tugs, CCS has added the Intelligent Towing Operation (Tx) mark, clarifying that intelligent tugs shall meet the requirements of information perception, auxiliary maneuvering, intelligent towing, energy efficiency management and remote operation, and adapt to scenarios such as restricted waters in ports, high-frequency berthing/unberthing and multi-vessel coordinated operations.[1]

2.2 Core Technical System

(1) Battery-Electric Propulsion System

The power source adopts large-capacity lithium iron phosphate battery packs (3920–7838kWh), matched with permanent magnet synchronous motors and Z-type azimuth thrusters. It features low-speed high torque, instantaneous response, zero emission and low noise, which can match the high-frequency operation conditions of tugs. It can be fully charged in 2–3 hours with high-voltage shore power fast charging, and operate continuously for 8–12 hours.[5][6]

(2) Intelligent Perception and Control

A multi-sensor fusion scheme of radar + AIS + vision + differential Beidou is adopted, with positioning accuracy of ±0.3m and instruction response time < 800ms. It can realize intelligent berthing assistance, autonomous berthing/unberthing, path planning, dynamic collision avoidance, towing tension monitoring and over-limit warning.[1][3]

(3) Ship-Shore Integrated Intelligent Platform

Thousands to nearly 10,000 sensors are arranged on the whole ship to realize real-time collection and remote visualization of equipment status, energy consumption data, navigation attitude and operation information. The platform supports digital twin, fault pre-diagnosis, working condition simulation, auxiliary decision-making and cloud data storage.[1][5]

(4) Safety Redundancy Design

It includes multiple safety mechanisms such as battery fire protection, multi-circuit power supply, emergency manual takeover and remote power-off protection, meeting the high reliability requirements of harbor tugs.[1][5]

2.3 Typical Applications at Home and Abroad

Domestic Benchmarks

Jingang Lun 31/32: The first batch of ASD tugs certified in accordance with CCS intelligent specifications in China, equipped with 9961 sensors, with functions of remote monitoring, fault early warning and intelligent integrated platform.[1]

Qinggang Tuo 1: China’s first diesel-electric hybrid intelligent ASD tug, awarded 6 additional marks: intelligent navigation, intelligent engine room, intelligent energy efficiency, intelligent integrated platform, hybrid power and unattended engine room.[1]

Lianyungang Full-Electric Tug Fleet: The first full-electric tug fleet in China, saving about 300 tons of fuel and reducing about 900 tons of CO₂ emissions per ship per year, with an annual operating cost saving of about 3 million RMB per ship.[5]

Fugang Tuo 31: Full-electric intelligent tug of Fuzhou Port, reducing energy consumption cost by about 66% compared with fuel tugs of the same horsepower, saving more than 1 million RMB per year.[6]

Shengang Dian Tuo 1: 5000-horsepower full-electric intelligent tug, saving more than 300 tons of fuel and reducing about 1000 tons of CO₂ emissions per year, with an annual fuel cost saving of about 2 million RMB.[7]

International Progress

Japan Yoshino Maru: Completed 400km remote control and path planning collision avoidance test in 2020.

Korea SAMSUNG T-8: Completed remote autonomous navigation sea trial of 300-ton tug in 2020.

Singapore PSA Polaris: Completed intelligent tug autonomous collision avoidance sea trial in 2020.

USA Rachael Allen: Launched the development of unmanned tug system in 2021, integrating automatic collision avoidance and remote control functions.

[International Public Test Reports]

The ASD Tugboat with a 5400 HP propulsion system and a battery capacity of 7224 kWh, is currently the world's largest Battery-Electric ASD Tug in terms of both horsepower and onboard battery capacity：

3 Core Advantages of Intelligent and Full-Electric ASD Tugs

3.1 Significant Improvement in Operation Efficiency

Berthing and unberthing efficiency is increased by 27.6%, maneuvering response time is reduced from 2s to 0.8s, an increase of 60%; full-electric drive provides instantaneous power and smooth start-stop, with outstanding advantages in high-frequency operations.[3]

3.2 Green Zero Emission and Outstanding Environmental Benefits

Full-electric mode achieves zero pollutant emissions, and noise inside and outside the cabin is reduced by more than 20%; single ship reduces CO₂ emissions by about 900 tons per year, with significant environmental benefits.[1][5]

3.3 Reduction in Full Life Cycle Cost

Lianyungang full-electric tugs save nearly 3 million RMB in annual comprehensive operating costs compared with fuel tugs of the same horsepower; Fuzhou Port full-electric tugs reduce energy consumption costs by 66%; full-electric system reduces maintenance costs by more than 30%, without diesel engine overhaul, with better long-term economy.[5][6]

3.4 Comprehensive Enhancement of Safety

Intelligent monitoring and automatic collision avoidance system can significantly reduce the risk of collision and scraping; equipment fault early warning reduces unplanned downtime by more than 30%; multiple redundancy design reduces the risks of capsizing, cable breaking and fire.[1][3]

4 Challenges Faced by Intelligent and Full-Electric ASD Tugs

4.1 Imperfect Standard System

There is a lack of special intelligent standards for tugs, and no detailed provisions for autonomous berthing/unberthing, multi-vessel coordinated pushing, emergency release, remote control authority, etc.; standards for battery safety, charging interface and intelligent adaptation in ice areas of full-electric tugs are not unified; Intelligent Perception System for Azimuth Stern Drive Tugs is still in the consultation stage.[1][3]

4.2 Technical and Engineering Bottlenecks

Shore bridges, ships and bollards in ports cause multi-target occlusion and interference, reducing intelligent perception reliability; problems such as thrust coupling and wake interference in multi-vessel coordination are prominent, and cooperative control algorithms are immature; 5G communication at the edge of port areas and in cabins has packet loss, affecting the safety of remote control; battery low-temperature performance, cycle life, fast charging heating and safety protection of full-electric system still need to be improved.[3][4]

4.3 Gaps in Laws, Regulations and Liability Identification

Liability for accidents in intelligent autonomous/remote operations is not clearly defined, and there is no basis for the division of responsibilities among ship owners, shore-based personnel, system manufacturers and equipment suppliers; crew qualifications, staffing standards and operating specifications for intelligent full-electric tugs are not unified; there are no mandatory requirements for ship-shore data security, privacy protection and log traceability.[3][4]

4.4 Constraints of Investment and Supporting Facilities

The initial cost of intelligent full-electric tugs is 15%–30% higher than that of traditional tugs, putting financial pressure on small and medium-sized ports; supporting facilities such as high-power fast charging piles, energy storage systems and microgrids for full-electric tugs are insufficient; traditional maintenance systems and personnel skills are difficult to adapt to intelligent full-electric systems.[8][Port Measured Data]

5 Prospect for Development

5.1 Short-term (2026–2027)

Intelligent auxiliary driving, intelligent monitoring and intelligent energy efficiency will be fully standardized; CCS will improve the inspection rules for intelligent tugs and full-electric tugs, and issue relevant standards for autonomous berthing/unberthing and remote control; full-electric/hybrid tugs will be applied on a large scale in key ports, reducing energy consumption and emissions by 10%–15%.[3][1]

5.2 Medium-term (2028–2029)

Intelligent autonomous escort navigation and autonomous berthing/unberthing will realize commercial application, reducing 1–2 crew members per ship and improving operation efficiency by ≥30%; full-electric intelligent tugs will account for more than 40% of newly built tugs, and green intelligence will become a mandatory condition for port access; supporting facilities such as port charging, energy storage and microgrids will be improved, forming a ship-port-electric coordinated ecosystem.[4][3]

5.3 Long-term (After 2030)

Unmanned intelligent tug fleet operations will be popularized, realizing full-process unmanned port and shipping scheduling; a China’s standard system for intelligent full-electric tugs will be formed, participating in and leading international rule-making; a new generation of harbor equipment system with zero emission, high safety, high efficiency and low cost will be fully realized.[3]

6 Conclusion

Intelligent and full-electric ASD tugs are a new generation of harbor equipment with deep integration of intelligence and greening. They not only meet the core requirements of high maneuverability, high reliability and high-frequency operations of ASD tugs, but also achieve the comprehensive value of zero emission, low cost and high safety. At present, the technology has moved from demonstration verification to large-scale promotion, but it still faces challenges in standards, technology, regulations and investment. In the future, it is necessary to take standards first, technical research, regulation improvement and supporting coordination as the path to promote the comprehensive development of ASD tugs towards the intelligent and full-electric era, providing key equipment support for smart ports and green shipping.

References

[1] China Classification Society. Intelligent Ship Code (2024) [S]. 2024.

[2] China Classification Society. Green Ecological Ship Code (2022) [S]. 2022.

[3] Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. Intelligent Shipping 2030 Action Plan [Z]. 2025.

[4] Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. JT/T 300-2024 Port Tugboat Operations [S]. 2024.

[5] Lianyungang Municipal People’s Government. Announcement on Operation Data and Environmental Benefits of Full-Electric Tugs [R]. 2025.

[6] Department of Commerce of Fujian Province. Announcement on the Delivery of “Fugang Tuo 31” Full-Electric Intelligent Tug in Fuzhou Port [R]. 2026.

[7] China Water Transport Network. 1000-day Operation Report of “Yungang Dian Tuo No.1” in Lianyungang [R]. 2024.

[8] DNV. Tugboat Energy Efficiency Design Index (EDI) [R]. 2021.

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