United States: Seattle-based Foss Maritime Company, builder and operator of the world's first hybrid tugboat, will retrofit an existing tug with hybrid technology for service in San Pedro Bay, thanks to a US$1 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to the Port of Long Beach.
The project will follow Foss' 'Carolyn Dorothy' hybrid tug, which was launched into service at the Port of Long Beach in 2009. The new project will be implemented through a partnership between Foss, the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of Los Angeles.
Foss will retrofit the 'Campbell Foss', a conventional dolphin tug currently assisting ocean-going 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 goal is to achieve significant reductions in pollution emissions while enhancing fuel efficiency and operational capabilities. Projected annual emissions reductions per year include more than 1.7 tonnes of diesel particulate matter, more than 53 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen and more than 1,340 tonnes of carbon dioxide
In addition, more than 378,500 litres of diesel fuel will be saved each year.
Susan Hayman, Foss Maritime's Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs, said Foss has been looking forward to an opportunity to retrofit one of its existing tugs to work alongside the 'Carolyn Dorothy' and plans to introduce more hybrid tugs in the years to come.
The 'Carolyn Dorothy' is designed to retain the power and manoeuvrability of her conventional Dolphin class sister tugs, while dramatically reducing emissions, noise, and fuel consumption, according to Foss. The vessel was newly built as a hybrid, rather than retrofitted.
