The Port of Los Angeles has unveiled a new 350-passenger, hybrid excursion boat, marking a major milestone in the adoption of sustainable shipping practices. The vessel, El Escudo, is the result of a collaborative effort between the Port, Harbor Breeze Cruises, and California Air Resources Board (CARB). This innovative vessel features a parallel hybrid propulsion system, enabling it to operate in fully electric, diesel, or hybrid modes, thus exceeding U.S. EPA Tier 4 and CARB Commercial Harbor Craft emissions standards.
The El Escudo will be berthed at the Port of Los Angeles and serve the San Pedro Bay ports, with its operational plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At least 30% of the vessel's time will be spent in zero-emission mode, with some trips achieving 100% zero-emission operations, depending on route and runtime requirements.
The development and testing of this vessel were conducted under the Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) Project, supported by a $31 million CARB grant and $30 million in project partner matching funds. This project aimed to test and evaluate two different harbor craft emission-reduction technologies, including the Harbor Breeze Cruises Zero-Emission Advanced Technology (ZEAT) vessels.
The introduction of this zero-emission vessel is significant, as it projects to reduce over 60 tons of emissions annually. The California Air Resources Board is funding the grant through its Sustainable Heavy-Duty Initiatives for Future Technology (SHIFT), an incentive fund supported by California Climate Investments.
Harbor Breeze Cruises has invested $7.5 million in the vessel's development, advancing additional low- and zero-emission vessels. A second hybrid vessel under the LA MER project is currently in development, with an additional $7.5 million in match share.
The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach have committed to contributing $250,000 each to support a technology evaluation study of harbor craft vessels and technologies. Both Ports will provide funding for at least 50 excursion trips each on the zero-emission capable vessels over the twelve-month project demonstration period.
In addition to the CARB grant, the Port of Los Angeles has committed $2.45 million and the Port of Long Beach $1.05 million through the joint Technology Advancement Program to support the development of harbor craft charging infrastructure and additional vessel technologies.
The adoption of zero-emission vessels in the port industry is a crucial step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the transportation sector continues to evolve, it's essential that we prioritize sustainable practices and invest in innovative technologies like this hybrid excursion boat.
This new vessel sets a precedent for the future of sustainable shipping, demonstrating the potential for significant emission reductions through the adoption of hybrid propulsion systems.
The introduction of zero-emission vessels in the port industry marks a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
