Lithuania Bets Big on Electric Tugs With Dutch-Built “EPUSHER-L”

Baltic States Get Their First Zero-Emission Pusher Boat

The Lithuanian Inland Waterways Authority (VVKD) just greenlit a quiet revolution in Baltic shipping. Dutch maritime firm KOTUG International won the contract to deliver the region’s first fully electric pusher tug—a move that could electrify cargo transport across Lithuania’s waterways. Approved after an international tender and a nod from Lithuania’s National Security Coordination Commission, the deal signals a strategic shift toward sustainable freight.

“This marks the start of transitioning our fleet to electric,” says VVKD’s Director General. “The Nemunas River is just the beginning.”

Dubbed EPUSHER-L, the vessel will be built at Padmos Shipyard in Stellendam, Netherlands, with operations slated to begin by late 2026. Its playground? The winding Nemunas River, where it’ll push VVKD-supplied barges laden with cargo. But the real magic lies in its specs: 50-hour endurance, 300 kilometers per charge, and an annual CO₂ reduction of 91,500 kg compared to diesel tugs—equivalent to taking 20 gas-guzzling cars off the road.

EU Cash Powers the Charge

The €11 million project, co-funded by the EU’s “Next Generation Lithuania” plan, isn’t just about the tug. The cash injection also covers an electric crane and barge infrastructure, creating a holistic low-emission ecosystem. For KOTUG CEO Ard-Jan Kooren, it’s a milestone: “This proves zero-emission performance doesn’t mean compromising power,” he notes, pointing to Lithuania’s broader decarbonization push.

KOTUG’s no stranger to electric pioneers—their E-Pusher M debuted in the Netherlands in 2022, and a 2024 order for a Rotterdam-based electric tug cemented their tech lead. Now, with EPUSHER-L, they’re exporting that expertise to the Baltics. As Kooren puts it: “The future of inland shipping isn’t just quieter. It’s smarter.”