PaxOcean and ABB Reach a Major Milestone with Singapore’s First Electric Tug

A breakthrough for green harbor operations

PaxOcean Group and ABB have reached a major milestone in their collaboration on Singapore’s first fully electric harbor tug. The vessel has completed commissioning and now moves closer to entering commercial service in April 2026. This achievement marks a significant step in Singapore’s transition toward low-carbon port operations.

The tug, named PXO-ACE-1, combines PaxOcean’s shipbuilding expertise with ABB’s advanced electric propulsion and power management technology. Together, the two companies have delivered a vessel designed to support both sustainability targets and demanding harbor operations.

Supporting Singapore’s decarbonization goals

Singapore operates one of the busiest ports in the world, supported by a large fleet of tugboats and harbor craft. These vessels traditionally rely on diesel engines, which produce emissions and noise in areas close to urban communities. To address this, Singapore has introduced clear requirements for new harbor craft to use electric or low-carbon propulsion in the coming years.

PXO-ACE-1 represents the first practical step toward that future. As the country’s first fully electric tug, it provides a working example of how ports can reduce emissions without sacrificing operational capability.

Electric power at the core

ABB equipped the tug with a fully integrated electric propulsion system powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery of around three megawatt-hours. ABB’s onboard power and energy management system controls how electricity flows between the batteries, propulsion motors, and onboard equipment, ensuring efficient and reliable operation.

This system reduces energy losses and allows the vessel to optimize power use during different operating modes, such as towing, maneuvering, or standby. The electrical architecture also allows for future upgrades, including additional energy storage or alternative power sources.

Strong performance with zero local emissions

Despite its electric design, PXO-ACE-1 delivers the power expected from a modern harbor tug. With a bollard pull of 50 tonnes, the vessel can handle demanding towing and escort duties in busy port waters.

At the same time, it produces zero exhaust emissions during operation and runs far more quietly than a diesel-powered tug. This improves working conditions for the crew and helps reduce air and noise pollution in port areas.

From testing to real operations

The successful completion of commissioning confirms that the tug’s electrical, propulsion, and control systems perform as intended. Engineers have tested the vessel under real operating conditions to ensure stable and safe performance.

The tug will soon move into active service, where it will work alongside conventional tugs. This will allow operators to directly compare electric and diesel propulsion in everyday harbor activities.

A model for future electric tugs

Both PaxOcean and ABB view PXO-ACE-1 as a blueprint for future electric harbor craft. Tugboats are well suited for electrification because they operate in defined areas and return regularly to base, where charging infrastructure can support them.

By proving that a fully electric tug can meet real operational demands, this project helps accelerate the shift toward cleaner and more sustainable port operations in Singapore and beyond.