US-based global food producer Cargill has collaborated with Dutch maritime services company Kotug International to transport cocoa beans from Amsterdam to Cargill’s factory in Zaandam by means of a fully electric pusher tug and barges.

The E-Pusher 1 vessel, which can handle barges loaded with up to 4,000 tons of cargo, is the first in Kotug’s E-Pusher Series of modular pusher boats for cargo transport. It features a swappable container battery from Shift Clean Energy and is charged with electricity generated by a wind farm operated by Cargill and Vattenfall through Windpark Hanze.

“By introducing the world’s first electric vessel of this setup,” said Kotug President and CEO Ard-Jan Kooren, “we aim to inspire other shipping companies, governments, and stakeholders to embrace clean energy solutions.”

Source: Cargill