March 5, 2007

Foss Maritime to Build Hybrid Tug

Foss Maritime plans to build the world’s first true hybrid tug boat that will significantly reduce nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and carbon emissions. It will also consume less fuel and be quieter than its conventional predecessors.

Officials of the Seattle-based marine services company say the project must still gain final board approval.

But the decision to move forward with the hybrid tug got a boost earlier this week as the Port of Los Angeles pledged $850,000 to the project, in association with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners preliminarily approved a $500,000 contribution to the vessel’s construction.

In exchange for funding, Foss would agree to homeport the new hybrid tug in Southern California for five years.

The hybrid tug design will make it adaptable for retrofit of existing harbor tugs. The design of the tug also has the ability to take advantage of emerging technologies such as improved battery and fuel advances. This tug could also take advantage of cleaner, less expensive shore power to charge the batteries.

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