China's first hydrogen-electric tugboat enters service at Qingdao Port

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China's first hydrogen-electric tugboat, "Hydrogen Electric Tug No. 1," developed with the support of CATL, has officially entered operation at Qingdao Port in Shandong, according to a press release CATL issued on July 4 via its WeChat account.

This newly launched vessel is the most powerful port tugboat in the country, featuring the largest lithium battery capacity among its peers. Equipped with CATL's advanced marine energy solution, the tugboat enables true zero-carbon emissions, setting a replicable benchmark for green port operations.

Photo credit: CATL

Tugboats play a vital role in port logistics by maneuvering large vessels such as cargo ships, oil tankers, and container ships into position. As global ports accelerate their shift toward low-carbon operations, battery-powered tugboats have emerged as a key innovation driving this transition.

CATL has outfitted the Hydrogen Electric Tug No. 1 with a high-performance, high-safety battery system, boasting a capacity of 7,838.88 kWh, the highest energy density in China at 140 Wh/kg, and a peak output of 5,200 kW. This allows the vessel to sustain over 12 hours of operation at a cruising speed of 9 knots, with a maximum bollard pull of 82 tonnes—delivering robust performance in demanding marine conditions. CATL's NP (non-thermal diffusion) technology, self-developed battery management system, and millisecond-level liquid cooling controls provide precise thermal management and ensure operational safety under complex scenarios.

CATL's NP technology; photo credit: CATL

Once fully operational, the tug is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,500 tonnes annually, significantly advancing Qingdao Port's goal of becoming a zero-carbon facility.

CATL continues to expand its portfolio of zero-carbon marine solutions. From China's first hybrid luxury catamaran Greater Bay Area No. 1, to the world's largest fully electric cruise ship Yangtze River Three Gorges No. 1, and now to the first hydrogen-electric tugboat, CATL-powered vessels are helping decarbonize a broad range of maritime segments including tourism, harbor operations, and inland/coastal freight shipping.