Port of Los Angeles to retrofit and electrify 26ft tugboat

In partnership with Diversified Marine, Arc Boat Company is to retrofit and electrify a 26ft tugboat for use in the Port of Los Angeles.

Promoting sustainable operations

Serving the busiest port in the US, the retrofitted tugboat will save operators up to 50% of operating costs (fuel and maintenance) compared to diesel vessels. Work is now underway on what will be Arc’s first commercial vessel, a truckable tugboat. This will enable Arc to harden the underlying technology before work proceeds on larger vessels later this year.

This initiative forms part of the Port of Los Angeles’ plan to become zero emission by 2030. It comes as the US government has announced a flurry of new incentives to drive domestic capacity, including the introduction of both a dedicated White House office of shipbuilding and tax incentives for domestic shipyards.

Electrifying port logistics

“At Arc, our mission has always been to electrify the marine industry. This is not just an environmental initiative: it’s America’s best shot at reclaiming its leadership in maritime technology,” said Mitch Lee, co-founder and CEO of Arc. “US shipyard throughput has been declining since WWII, and China now controls nearly half of the global shipbuilding market. We must adopt modern technologies to re-establish maritime exceptionalism. This partnership is a critical first step toward doing just that.” A few more months will see Arc’s electric tug ready to begin operations, guiding ships in the Port of Los Angeles.

“Tugboats are a cornerstone of the economy, [enabling] cargo ships to operate at ports,” said Kofi Asante, vice president of business development at Arc. “The short but high-power requirements of a tugboat make it a great fit for electrification, which can drive efficiencies at the port.”

“As the backbone of port logistics, workboats are a crucial component of the shipping industry. It’s time to bring them into the modern age,” said Frank Manning, president of Diversified Marine. “With a partner like Arc, we will now be able to set the bar for the future of American ports and truly show the benefits of what clean maritime technology can achieve.”

In related news, a fully electric ElectRA Series built by Sanmar for major operator SAAM Towage recently completed sea trials. According to the partners, it will be the first fully electric tugboat to operate in Latin America. Click here to read the full story.