Like minds sparkle on San Diego Bay – at the forefront of tug electrification

With delivery of the first all-electric U.S. tugboat – Crowley’s eWolf – in 2023, the Port of San Diego will realize their vision of a zero-emission workboat, ensuring cleaner air from day one of operations, and taking an important step toward a sustainable future for port residents - Article from ABB

eWolf rendering. Image credit Crowley

“San Diego is proud of our focus on blue and green technology,” says Vice President of Maritime at the Port of San Diego, Michael LaFleur. “Our goal is to be a ‘Port of Firsts.’ Everyone is interested in what we are doing to bring about the transition from diesel to electric workboats, and this project allows them to see the tangible results, clearly demonstrating the effect of the push to electrification.”

David Lee, Senior Account Manager – Commercial Vessels, ABB Marine & Ports, adds: “Crowley has been working with the Port of San Diego for a long time, looking together at introducing electric tugs. ABB had also wanted to bring electric tugs to San Diego, so our thinking was a good match with port goals, but Crowley was really the connector.”

Crowley leads the way

Over a century of harbor workboat operations, Crowley has become widely known as a pioneer in the sustainable workboat space, says Greg Glover, Director of engineering for ship assist and harbor escort services at Crowley. “We have been working with districts in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and California since 2010. We have done a lot of repower projects, and we have a long history of improving existing vessels.”

Crowley is committed to being the leader in clean vessels – setting its ambition to be the most sustainable and innovative solutions provider in the Americas by 2025: “This is significant for the environment, but also for the people impacted by port activities,” says Cole Van Gundy, Director, Commercial Operations, at Crowley Engineering Services. “We are the leading vessel designer for workboats in the U.S., with roughly half of the domestic design market.”

“With the e-tug, we had time to design the vessel from scratch. Starting with a new electric tug, we could prioritize sustainable technology and design features that are also efficient and safe for operators. These innovative design solutions involved many aspects of the overall design, including the pilothouse, bulwarks, self rescue zone and more,” Van Gundy says.

System setup on board the eWolf tug. Image credit Crowley

Reaping the silent benefits

“The community has embraced the notion of electric tugs, but they are not really aware of all the specific benefits just yet,” says LaFleur. For example, those residing closest to the port will no longer be hearing the familiar rumble of diesel engines. “They will barely be able to hear a low humming from the tugs from port operations during the night,” he assures.

Leading onboard technology enables this shift, says Lee: “ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ is the enabling technology power here, allowing integration of batteries into the smaller but more active workboats, ensuring near-silent operations to the benefit of local residents.”

Funding for the initiative is another enabler, reports LaFleur. “We are building on innovation from Crowley, and with the full support of a willing port and involved stakeholders.” Partners include the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board, the Port of San Diego, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Maritime Administration.