Case Study
ElectRA Tugboats | Baudouin Case Study
Baudouin Powers Sanmar’s Next-Generation ElectRA Tugboats for BOTAŞ
CASE STUDY
- Cylinders: 12
- Bore & Stroke (mm): 150x150
- Total Displacement (L): 31.8
- Certifications: IMO III | EPA 4 | STAGE V
Solution
- 2x12M26.3SCRMarinegensets
- Heavy Duty P2
- Oil & gas terminal tugging
- BTMCo | Sanmar | BOTAŞ
Baudouin Marine Gensets for ElectRA 2500-SX Tugboats
Baudouin generator sets have been selected to power a new series of advanced diesel-electric tugboats built by Turkish shipyard Sanmar Shipyards for BOTAŞ, the Turkish state-owned oil and gas pipeline corporation.
Part of Sanmar’s innovative ElectRA class, these tugboats represent a new generation of vessel designed to combine operational performance, environmental responsibility and advanced propulsion technology.
Each vessel integrates high-efficiency diesel-electric propulsion supported by battery energy storage, enabling superior manoeuvrability, optimized fuel consumption and reduced emissions during demanding terminal operations.
Classed by ABS, the vessels measure 25.40 metres in length overall and deliver a bollard pull of 70 tonnes, with a maximum speed of 12 knots.
The tugboats will support operations at BOTAŞ Marmara Ereğlisi LNG Terminal and BOTAŞ Saros FSRU Terminal.
The ElectRA tugboats are designed around a diesel-electric propulsion architecture.
In this configuration, propulsion motors are powered by onboard generator sets rather than mechanically coupled diesel propulsion engines.
This architecture allows the vessel’s power generation system to operate more efficiently across different load profiles, while supporting the demanding manoeuvring requirements of LNG and FSRU terminal operations.
Each vessel is equipped with two Baudouin 12M26.3 SCR marine gensets.
Each genset is rated at 954 kWe, 60 Hz, 690 VAC, providing the electrical power required for the tugboat’s diesel-electric propulsion system.
The 12M26.3 platform is well suited to demanding tugboat operations where reliability, responsiveness and robust marine engineering are essential.
To meet stringent environmental regulations applicable to port and terminal operations, the gensets are fitted with SCR aftertreatment systems.
This technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions and ensures full compliance with IMO Tier III standards.
For energy terminal operations, this emissions performance is especially important, as vessels must combine high operational availability with increasingly strict environmental requirements.
The diesel-electric system is complemented by a 5085 kWh battery energy storage system supplied by Corvus Energy.
This battery system provides additional operational flexibility, supports power peaks and reduces engine load variations.
The successful integration of the diesel-electric propulsion system and battery storage required close coordination between Sanmar Shipyards, Baudouin’s R&D teams and BTM Avrasya.
This collaboration helped ensure optimal system performance, reliability and integration across the vessel’s complete power architecture.
Operational Benefits for LNG and FSRU Terminal Tugging
By separating power generation from propulsion, the generator sets can operate closer to their optimal load range.
This improves fuel efficiency and reduces engine wear compared with conventional mechanical propulsion systems.
The configuration is particularly well suited to tugboats, whose duty cycles typically involve short bursts of high power followed by extended periods of low-load or standby operation.
Electric propulsion motors deliver instant torque and highly responsive thrust control, enabling precise manoeuvring when assisting large vessels in confined port environments.
This improves operational safety and efficiency during docking, escorting and positioning operations.
The battery system further improves load management, helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Electric propulsion also reduces noise and vibration levels, creating a quieter working environment for the crew while minimizing acoustic impact in port areas.
Finally, the multi-generator configuration provides inherent redundancy, ensuring continued vessel operation even if one generator set is offline. This is an essential feature for critical operations within energy terminals.
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