The Port of Los Angeles—the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere—is set to modernize its harbor craft fleet starting with a 7.9-meter (26-foot) electric tugboat. This vessel will be retrofitted (converted from its current diesel-powered form) by Arc, a U.S.-based electric boat startup, in collaboration with Diversified Marine, a shipyard on the West Coast.
This small but powerful tugboat will be the first of its kind to serve the port, laying the foundation for a new generation of zero-emission maritime vessels.
Why Electrify Tugboats?
Tugboats play a crucial role in port operations — they assist large cargo ships with maneuvering, docking, and navigating tight harbor spaces. However, most existing tugboats are:
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Outdated and run on diesel engines
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Highly polluting, contributing to poor air quality
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Expensive and inefficient to operate and maintain
Electric propulsion offers a solution by reducing fuel costs, maintenance needs, and harmful emissions. Arc aims to electrify this sector with its innovative battery-powered technology.
Larger Vision: Reclaiming U.S. Maritime Leadership
Arc’s mission isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s about reviving American leadership in maritime innovation. Mitch Lee, Arc’s CEO, emphasizes that:
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U.S. shipbuilding capacity has declined since World War II.
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China currently dominates global shipbuilding (nearly 50% of market share).
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Modern technologies like electrification can help the U.S. catch up and lead again.
This initiative aligns with the U.S. government’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP), which was introduced to strengthen the domestic maritime industry through innovation, workforce development, and infrastructure investment.
Why Tugboats Are Ideal for Electrification
According to Kofi Asante, Arc’s VP of Business Development:
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Tugboats have short-range operations but require high power bursts.
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These characteristics make them perfect candidates for battery-electric power, which can deliver quick torque without the emissions of a combustion engine.
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Electrifying tugboats will streamline port operations and reduce environmental impact in high-traffic areas like Los Angeles.
Broader Environmental Efforts at the Port
The electric tugboat initiative is part of a larger clean-tech transition happening at the Port of Los Angeles. The port, along with Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises, is involved in emission-reduction demonstration projects for harbor vessels.
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These projects are funded by a $31 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
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The goal is to test and scale clean maritime technologies, reducing emissions from ferries, tour boats, and support craft.
Key Takeaways
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Arc’s electric tugboat is the first step in transforming U.S. ports into cleaner, high-tech maritime hubs.
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The project addresses both environmental concerns and industrial competitiveness, aiming to reinvigorate American shipbuilding.
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The U.S. government and California are actively supporting this shift with policy initiatives and funding.
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Tugboats’ unique operating profile makes them ideal candidates for electrification, with the potential to inspire similar transitions at ports worldwide.
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Source: OFFSHORE ENERGY
