Over the past year and a half C-Job Naval Architects has been working with Padmos on behalf of their client and shipowner, Kotug on the E-Pusher 1. In 2021, Kotug launched the innovative concept of the E-Pusher, the world’s first fully electric pusher boat and barges. The E-Pusher 1 will transport barges of cocoa beans for Cargill between the port of Amsterdam and their cocoa facilities in Zaandam.

The E-Pusher 1 was recently launched and is currently in service. During the project, C-Job Naval Architect Bas Crama worked onsite at Padmos, and assisted Kotug and Padmos in developing the concept design and the engineering of the basic and detail designs of the E-Pusher 1. Bas also assisted on the setup of the modular build and strength calculations of the steel frame and HDPE hull. Besides the engineering and project management Bas did on the project, he also managed the building support and part of the commissioning of the vessel on behalf of Padmos.

The unique and totally new concept of the E-Pusher, developed by Kotug is something that’s never been seen before. A fully electric and zero-emission pusher tug with a hull made of HDPE plastic. HDPE has many benefits, especially its possibility to be recycled and its light weight and low maintenance nature. Its perfect combination of cost-effectiveness, durability, and eco-friendly aspects make it a great material to work with. HDPE being weather and rot proof are also advantages, especially in the maritime industry. The 20-foot modular battery container on the vessel offers the unique ability to switch between various energy sources, from fossil, hybrid, and fully electric power to hydrogen, ensuring it is ready to switch to other sustainable energy sources in the future. Being completely electric, the E-Pusher travels silently, reducing noise in the busy port of Amsterdam.

C-Job’s collaboration with Padmos is not anything new, we’ve had a close and dedicated relationship with the Stellendam-based shipyard for 8 years. “Our longstanding relationship with C-Job means that we work shoulder to shoulder with them. This groundbreaking design showcases how well C-Job and Padmos work together” says Walter van Harberden, Director at Padmos, “with C-Job’s engineering skill and Padmos’ know-how, we make a brilliant team to efficiently build a vessel.” On the collaboration, Bas said “It’s always a pleasure working together with Padmos as I know that we support each other in all aspects. Being involved in the engineering and also witnessing the build of the vessel at Padmos’ yard brought a great feeling of satisfaction at the end of the project.”

Because of the modular design, the construction process of the vessel took half the time compared to a traditional pusher. The E-Pusher 1 can push up to 4,000 tons of cargo and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 190,000 kg per year, the same amount as about 15,000 truck journeys from the Port of Amsterdam to Cargill’s cocoa factory.