Cargill has partnered with Kotug International to deploy Kotug’s zero emission E-Pusher Type M and E-Barges—the world’s first fully electric pusher boat and barges—to transport cocoa beans from the Port of Amsterdam, the largest cocoa import port in the world, to Cargill’s cocoa factory in Zaandam, the Netherlands.

The KOTUG E-Pusher Series currently has three models ranging from 5.5 to 22 meters in length and a maximum depth of 0.45 to 1.35 meters resulting in a draft that is 30% less than conventional pusher tug designs. The design of the E-Pusher offers the ability to switch energy sources, varying from fossil, hydrogen, and fully electric energy. The series consists of four models to cover all the inland waterways: the E-Pusher CityBarge (for inner cities) and the E-Pusher S, M and L for larger waterways.

Animated movie of the Kotug E-Pusher type M

Pushers and barges are essential, efficient methods of delivering goods by water from Dutch ports to the Netherlands and beyond. Cargill is the first company to put into operation fully electrified pusher and barges for inland shipping, eliminating both emissions and noise pollution.

The fully electric pusher boats and barges are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 190,000 kg per year, the equivalent of 15,000 one-way trips by truck from the Port of Amsterdam to Cargill’s cocoa factory in Zaandam. The boats will run on green energy from the wind farm that Cargill and Vattenfall operate in partnership with Windpark Hanze.