Rhenus Group Upgrades Canal Tugs for the Future

The Rhenus Group has extensively upgraded two canal tugs from the German inland shipping company (DBR) to Stage V engines, making them fit for the demands of the future. This modernization is part of the self-imposed development of the Rhenus fleet towards climate protection.

(Holzwickede) This measure is one of many steps towards a comprehensive upgrade of the entire fleet to the latest engine generation. While the construction of completely sustainable hydrogen ships is a long-term project, the Rhenus Group is short-term upgrading more and more older ships to modern and thus more environmentally friendly technology. The two canal tugs RSPSB146 and RSPSB153 from the 1970s are the first to be equipped with the latest technology currently available on the market.

The conversion of the two ships took about ten months. During this time, the old units were replaced by modern diesel generators from SCANIA and Caterpillar – truck engines that are also approved for inland vessels. They operate with Stage 5 exhaust aftertreatment, ensuring that no harmful particles are released into the air. This allows Rhenus to achieve a reduction in fine dust pollution of up to 40 percent. The engines have a power output of 740 KW, which is three times that of the previous engines. To make room for the significantly larger engines, the engine room was completely stripped and renovated.

All old pumps, electronics, and units were replaced with the latest electronics and a modern control cabinet. The new encapsulated HIS unit operates very quietly, allowing the crew on board to rest at night. Additionally, a new drive train with pressure bearings and shaft seals was installed, and the rudder hydraulics were brought up to date. The operational area of the two ships will continue to be the East German waterway region. “Most ships of the German inland shipping companies are 30-50 years old. Ours are no exception. Scrapping makes no sense here, especially since it is so easy to upgrade accordingly. That’s exactly what we are tackling now with the goal of German Inland Shipping – evolving for the future,” explains Thomas Kaulbach, Managing Director of Rhenus PartnerShip.

Shortsea Fleet Continues to Evolve

Later this year, Rhenus will present the first flagships of a new, low-emission fleet generation for sustainable inland shipping of the future. With hydrogen propulsion and electric batteries, the towage units operate reliably even in strong currents. Rhenus is also continuously developing its shortsea fleet. Five new ships for coastal freight transport have been jointly designed by Rhenus and Arkon Shipping. Rhenus assures that sustainability in shipping transport will be given high priority permanently. This also includes continuously examining how the company can contribute to more sustainable logistics. The globally operating logistics service provider primarily aims to reduce CO₂ emissions in its operations and make global supply chains more sustainable.

Photo: © Rhenus