One of the largest fleets of electric tugboats will begin operating in the next few years thanks to a key partnership between startup Arc Boats and Curtin Maritime. The two companies signed a $160 million agreement to build eight hybrid vessels that will redefine operating standards at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Boosting maritime electrification
The tugboats to be developed in this collaboration will be equipped with hybrid-electric propulsion systems capable of generating more than 4,000 horsepower capable of generating more than 4,000 horsepower, backed by 6 megawatt-hour batteries. This configuration will enable high-level performance in complex port maneuvers, with a significant reduction in emissions and operating costs.
According to Arc, these vessels are a direct technological evolution of its previous models such as the Arc Sport and Arc Coast, integrating a vertically optimized electrical architecture.
An operational change for Curtin Maritime
Curtin Maritime is betting on energy efficiency as a key factor in its logistics strategy. The reduction in maintenance and fuel consumption is projected to be an immediate benefit, especially in comparison to traditional diesel fleets diesel fleets, which currently dominate U.S. ports.
Martin Curtin, CEO of the company, noted that this fleet will bring reliability, reduced downtime and a new standard of operational intelligence to its daily operations.
Electric tugboats arrive in Los Angeles and Long Beach
The first four tugboats will be in operation before the end of 2027. Once assembled by the Snow & Company shipyard in Seattle, the vessels will be deployed at the Western Hemisphere’s busiest port complex. busiest port complex in the Western Hemisphere, which handles about one-third of the world’swhich handles approximately one-third of the country’s maritime cargo.
The deployment aligns with zero-emission goals for the next decade, positioning this partnership as a strategic piece in the energy transition of U.S. port infrastructure.
Source and photo: Arc Boats
