At a time when international pressure is mounting to reduce maritime transport emissions and limit its carbon footprint, Turkey is opening a window onto its experiences in developing sustainable navigation, through electric and hybrid propulsion technologies, the use of alternative energy sources, and projects aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels within ports.
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These experiences were the focus of field visits by an international press delegation of 20 journalists representing 15 countries, including Morocco and Egypt, in Istanbul, as part of the “On the Road to COP31: A Sustainable Future” program, coordinated by the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, to introduce Turkish experiences in the areas of climate, clean energy and environmental protection.
The tour included a visit to the Turkish Shipbuilders Association, where the delegation learned about the shipbuilding industry’s trends towards reducing emissions, as well as a field visit related to the electric tugboat experience, which allowed journalists to inspect the “Cesas Power” tugboat during a sea tour in Tuzla Bay, and learn about its working method and operational capabilities.
These visits gain their importance from moving the discussion on the green transition from the level of climate pledges to practical applications, while highlighting the opportunities offered by clean technology, and the challenges posed by its generalization at the level of investment, operation and port infrastructure.
She pointed out that the transition to lower-emission ships requires an approach that includes various stages of manufacturing and use, rather than simply introducing new technologies in isolation.
During the visit, Hakan Alkis, an official at Gesash, gave explanations about the electric locomotives, their components, how they work, and the differences between them and traditional diesel locomotives. The delegation also had the opportunity to inspect the locomotive during a sea tour in Tuzla Bay, which allowed them to closely observe its performance in actual operating conditions.
This experiment falls within a broader trend towards electrifying some port activities, particularly operations that require frequent movement within a relatively limited geographical area. Marine tugs play a key role in helping ships maneuver and dock, operations that consume energy and require the operation of high-powered engines.
According to the data presented during the visit, the maintenance costs of conventional locomotives may be up to five times the maintenance costs of electric locomotives. However, these figures remain estimates issued by the company and cannot be generalized to all locomotives and ports without considering the basis of comparison, operating conditions, fuel and electricity prices, and long-term battery and maintenance costs.
The total cost of an electric locomotive is not limited to energy consumption alone, but also includes the acquisition price, charging equipment, infrastructure upgrades, battery life, and the cost of replacing the battery when necessary.
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