LAs all-electric ‘truckable’ port tug

The 26-foot port vessel is being retrofitted in collaboration with Portland’s Diversified Marine Inc and lessons from its integration are already informing designs for larger tugs.

“At Arc, our mission has always been to electrify the entire marine industry. Workboats are a big step towards that end,” said CEO and co-founder of Arc, Mitch Lee.

“This project sets the stage for our future efforts.”

Ideally suited

Arc’s electric tug helps address inefficiencies with dual motors, large lithium-ion batteries and real-time performance monitoring. Lower maintenance and operating costs are a bonus.

Powered by Arc’s proprietary electric powertrain and software, the tug is designed for high-torque, short-range missions, ideal for the repetitive tasks typical of tugboat operations.

“It just makes sense,” said Robert Binkowski, Arc’s research and development lead. “This is the future of every port in the world.”

Los Angeles and Long Beach aim to transition to zero-emission equipment by 2030 and zero-emission trucks by 2035, with harbour craft to follow.

Replacing the roughly 2,000 tugs in the US could save over 1.6 million cars worth of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

“This is important and critical to our economy,” added Kofi Asante, Arc’s VP of business development. “Our retrofit is the beginning of a major workboat transition.”

Arc’s electric tug is set to launch at the port this summer.