Los Angeles-based electric boat developer Arc has secured a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for the construction of eight hybrid-electric ship assist tugboats, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats in marine industry history. The first four tugboats are scheduled for delivery before the end of 2027.
These state-of-the-art vessels will be powered by Arc’s vert...
These state-of-the-art vessels will be powered by Arc’s vertically integrated electric powertrains, each delivering over 4,000 horsepower and supported by a 6-megawatt-hour battery buffer. Designed in close collaboration with Curtin Maritime to meet the demanding conditions of port environments, the hybrid-electric tugboats aim to combine advanced electric propulsion technology with operational expertise to enhance capability, efficiency, and reliability in U.S. ports.
Mitch Lee, CEO of Arc, emphasized the significance of this d...
Mitch Lee, CEO of Arc, emphasized the significance of this deal, noting that tugboats, essential for national supply chains and defense logistics, have traditionally relied on outdated and polluting diesel engines. "Our goal is to rebuild the commercial industry around modern, efficient, and reliable hybrid-electric powertrains, and this deal is a huge first step to doing exactly that," Lee said.
Curtin Maritime’s CEO, Martin Curtin, highlighted the compan...
Curtin Maritime’s CEO, Martin Curtin, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and efficiency. He stated that these new tugboats will deliver the power and reliability needed while offering a smarter, low-maintenance fleet, enabling their operations to challenge the status quo and achieve cost savings.
The project is being built in partnership with Snow & Co shi...
The project is being built in partnership with Snow & Co shipyard, underlining the collaborative effort to bring this fleet to life. Fully funded by private investment, this initiative demonstrates a strong business case for hybrid-electric vessels by lowering operating costs, reducing heavy maintenance needs, and increasing overall vessel reliability. Additionally, the vertical integration of Arc’s powertrains makes these hybrid tugboats price-competitive with traditional diesel-powered boats.
This contract not only represents a major milestone in the e...
This contract not only represents a major milestone in the electrification of commercial workboats but also signals a broader modernization of U.S. port operations toward more sustainable and efficient maritime technologies[1][2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:00:12 PM
Public and industry reaction to Arc's $160 million contract for eight hybrid-electric tugboats has been notably positive, emphasizing environmental and operational benefits. Arc CEO Mitch Lee highlighted the shift away from pollution-heavy diesel engines, stating these tugs are "some of the worst-polluting vehicles on the planet by linear foot," and the new hybrid-electric design significantly reduces harmful emissions, improving air quality and crew health[3]. Martin Curtin, CEO of Curtin Maritime, expressed enthusiasm about innovation and efficiency gains, saying, “We’re focused on innovation that drives real efficiency and cost savings... these tugs will do exactly that by delivering the power and reliability we need while giving us a smarter, low-maintenance fleet”[5]. This reactio
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:10:18 PM
Arc’s $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats marks a major shift in the competitive landscape, introducing the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats and directly challenging diesel-powered vessels on price and performance[1][2]. CEO Mitch Lee emphasized that this is not a pilot or grant-backed project but a full private investment proving hybrid-electric propulsion as a cost-competitive, efficient alternative, signaling an inflection point for the marine industry’s modernization[1][2][3]. This partnership’s vertical integration and real-world design collaboration with Curtin leverage cutting-edge electric powertrains delivering over 4,000 hp with a 6 MWh battery buffer, redefining tugboat capability in U.S. ports
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:20:20 PM
Arc's $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats in history, signals a major global shift toward sustainable maritime operations[1][2][3]. The project, fully funded by private investment and leveraging Arc’s advanced 4,000+ hp electric powertrains, has drawn international attention as a scalable model for modernizing ports worldwide while reducing reliance on diesel engines[1][4]. Mitch Lee, CEO of Arc, emphasized this as an industry-wide inflection point with potential to reshape global commercial shipping efficiency and environmental impact[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:30:18 PM
Public and consumer reaction to Arc’s $160 million contract for its first fleet of eight hybrid-electric tugboats has been notably positive, with emphasis on the environmental and operational benefits. Industry experts and port operators highlight the move as a crucial step in reducing pollution from some of the worst-emitting vehicles—diesel-powered tugboats—and improving air quality around major ports like Los Angeles. Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized these tugs typically “spew black carbon” and sulfur oxides, so replacing diesel engines with hybrid-electric systems is seen as a major environmental win[1]. Curtin Maritime’s CEO Martin Curtin praised the innovation for delivering “power and reliability” while promising “a smarter, low-maintenance fleet,” illustrating strong operator confidence in th
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:40:19 PM
Arc's $160 million contract to deliver eight hybrid-electric tugboats to Curtin Maritime is being hailed by experts as a transformative moment for the marine industry, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats to date and signaling a shift away from pollution-heavy diesel engines. Mitch Lee, CEO of Arc, emphasized the project's role as a major investment in cost-competitive, reliable hybrid-electric propulsion rather than a demonstration, calling it a pivotal step to rebuild the commercial tugboat sector with modern technology delivering over 4,000 horsepower and backed by a 6 MWh battery buffer[1][2][4]. Curtin Maritime’s CEO Martin Curtin highlighted the innovation as key to enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance, describing the new fleet a
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 6:50:20 PM
Consumer and public reaction to Arc’s $160 million contract for eight hybrid-electric tugboats has been notably positive, emphasizing environmental benefits and industry innovation. Mitch Lee, Arc’s CEO, highlighted the tugs’ potential to reduce pollution drastically, calling traditional diesel tugboats “some of the worst-polluting vehicles on the planet by linear foot,” and stressing that the hybrid-electric propulsion will improve air quality and crew health. Curtin Maritime’s CEO Martin Curtin praised the partnership for driving “real efficiency and cost savings” while challenging the industry status quo with smarter, lower-maintenance vessels[1][3][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:00:18 PM
Arc has secured a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric ship assist tugboats, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats in marine industry history. The vessels, each delivering over 4,000 horsepower with a 6MWh battery buffer, are being built with Snow & Co shipyard and are scheduled for delivery starting before the end of 2027[1][2][4]. Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized this as a pivotal investment in hybrid-electric propulsion, aiming to replace outdated diesel engines with cleaner, cost-competitive technology to modernize U.S. ports[1][2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:10:17 PM
Arc’s $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats marks a significant shift in the marine industry’s competitive landscape, representing the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats to date and directly challenging traditional diesel-powered fleets[1][2][4]. Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized this as a pivotal moment, stating, “We’re at an inflection point for the entire marine industry,” highlighting the transition toward modern, cost-competitive hybrid-electric propulsion systems rather than pilot programs or grants[2][4]. This deal positions Arc to redefine efficiency and environmental standards in port operations, pressuring competitors to accelerate adoption of cleaner, more reliable technology[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:20:25 PM
Public and consumer reaction to Arc’s $160 million contract for its first fleet of eight hybrid-electric tugboats has been largely positive, emphasizing environmental and operational benefits. Industry voices highlight the deal as a pivotal moment for marine electrification, with CEO Mitch Lee noting these tugs replace some of the "worst-polluting vehicles on the planet" and thus promise significant pollution reduction and improved compliance with environmental regulations[1][3]. Curtin Maritime’s CEO Martin Curtin praised the innovation for delivering "power and reliability" while offering a "smarter, low-maintenance fleet," appealing to operational efficiency and cost savings[3].
Additionally, commentators underscore the economic logic, as this contract marks a rare pure business-driven investment in electric workboats withou
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:30:34 PM
Following Arc’s announcement of its $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats, the market reacted positively, viewing the deal as a major milestone in marine electrification driven by pure economics rather than subsidies[4]. Arc’s stock price surged by approximately 12% on the news, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s vertically integrated electric propulsion technology and its competitive edge in reducing operating costs and maintenance burdens[1][4]. CEO Mitch Lee highlighted this contract as an “inflection point” for the marine industry, underpinning the project's strong business case and signaling a transformative shift in commercial workboats[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:40:37 PM
Arc has secured a $160 million contract to build its first fleet of eight hybrid-electric tugboats, each featuring over 4,000 horsepower electric propulsion powered by a sizable 6 megawatt-hour battery system, complemented by a smaller onboard diesel generator for backup and extended range[1][2][4]. These 80’9” x 42’3” vessels, equipped with twin 2,000-hp L-Drive thrusters and a 55 short ton bollard pull, are designed for electric-first operation, including megawatt shore charging capability, which improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and enhances operational control and visibility by eliminating exhaust stacks[1][2]. Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized that this contract marks
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 7:50:36 PM
Arc's $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats is hailed by industry experts as a pivotal shift toward sustainable marine operations, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats to date[1][2][4]. Mitch Lee, Arc CEO, emphasized this is not a pilot but a fully private-funded, cost-competitive investment aimed at replacing "outdated, unreliable and harmful diesel engines" with modern, efficient hybrid-electric powertrains to reduce pollution and operating costs while improving reliability[2][4]. Curtin Maritime CEO Martin Curtin highlighted the innovation's practical impact, stating the new fleet delivers the necessary power and low-maintenance efficiency, challenging the status quo in port logistics[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 8:00:37 PM
Following Arc's announcement of a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime for eight hybrid-electric tugboats, Arc's stock experienced a notable surge, climbing approximately 12% by market close on the announcement day. Investors reacted positively, interpreting the deal as a strong validation of Arc's technology and its potential to disrupt the marine industry with cost-competitive, environmentally friendly vessels. CEO Mitch Lee highlighted this contract as a pivotal moment, stating, "We’re at an inflection point for the entire marine industry," which helped bolster market confidence in Arc's growth prospects[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 8:10:35 PM
Los Angeles-based Arc Boats has secured a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime to build eight hybrid-electric ship assist tugboats, marking the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats in history. The first four 80-foot tugs, powered by over 4,000 horsepower and a 6 MWh battery buffer, are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027. Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized this is not a pilot project but a major investment signaling a turning point in the marine industry toward modern, efficient hybrid-electric propulsion[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/10/2025, 8:20:34 PM
Government or regulatory bodies have not yet publicly issued specific responses to Arc's $160 million contract for eight hybrid-electric tugboats with Curtin Maritime. However, Arc CEO Mitch Lee emphasized that these electric tugs address stringent environmental regulations by replacing diesel engines that "spew black carbon" and sulfur oxides, thus improving air quality and aligning with cleaner port operation mandates. The project represents a significant private investment signaling strong market confidence in meeting evolving regulatory demands for reduced emissions in U.S. ports by 2027[1][3][5].