HaiSea Wamis completes first job in Vancouver Harbour marking the world’s first tanker escort by full electric power

October 25, 2023

The HaiSea Wamis, the world’s first fully electric harbour tugboat, has officially completed its first job since being delivered, marking the first time in history an oil tanker escort has been completed by an all-electric vessel.

The HaiSea Wamis, the first tugboat to be completed and delivered in HaiSea Marine’s fleet, assisted in escorting the Argent Iris through the Second Narrows Bridge and into the Vancouver Harbour. The Argent Iris, a 30,000+ tonne oil tanker, entered the harbour on October 18, 2023 and its successful escort by the HaiSea Wamis, is a glimpse into the future of zero emission ship escorts.

The HaiSea Wamis is the first of three fully electric tugboats to arrive on our shores and was designed by Vancouver-based naval architect firm Robert Allan. Combined with HaiSea’s incoming dual-fuel (LNG and diesel) escort tugs, the fleet will be the among the greenest in the world. Once all delivered, the fleet will make the voyage up the Douglas Channel to Kitimat where it will be based and provide ship-assist and escort towing services to LNG carriers calling at LNG Canada’s new export facility in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation.

Watch the HaiSea Wamis’ arrival video from Summer 2023.

HaiSea Marine is a joint venture majority owned by the Haisla Nation in partnership with Seaspan ULC. Both partners have considerable experience and knowledge of operating in Northern British Columbia, making HaiSea Marine a natural choice for providing responsible and dependable marine services in the region.