Foss Maritime Company, the builder and operator of the world’s first hybrid tugboat, plans to add a second hybrid vessel to its Southern California fleet. The goal is to reduce pollution emissions while improving fuel efficiency and operational capabilities, says Foss.
Foss will retrofit an existing tug with hybrid technology for service in San Pedro Bay, thanks to a $1 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to the Port. The project will be implemented through a partnership between Foss, the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of Los Angeles.
Foss Maritime's Carolyn Dorothy, the company's first hybrid tug, was launched into service at the Port of Long Beach in 2009. This vessel was newly built as a hybrid, rather than retrofitted. The hybrid tug boat reduces nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and carbon emissions. It also consumes less fuel and is quieter than its conventional predecessors.
Foss will retrofit the Campbell Foss, a conventional dolphin tug currently assisting oceangoing vessels in the San Pedro Bay. The boat will be retrofitted with motor generators, batteries, and control systems at Foss’ shipyard in Rainier, Oregon.
The company projects annual emissions reductions annually of more than 1.7 tons of diesel particulate matter, more than 53 tons of oxides of nitrogen, more than 1.2 tons of reactive organic gases and more than1,340 tons of carbon dioxide. In addition, Foss will also save more than 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year.
Tug boat operators aren't the only water craft businesses looking into hybrid technology to reduce emissions. In March, a Port of Los Angeles tour boat was being converted to a hybrid vessel. The 40-passenger boat could cut its energy use in half and emissions by 95 percent.
