Southern California ports approve funds for hybrid Foss tug

Southern California ports approve funds for hybrid Foss tug The governing boards of the neighboring ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have agreed to contribute a collective $1.25 million to the development of a less-polluting hybrid tug proposed by the Seattle-based Foss Maritime Co.
   The Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners voted Thursday to approve $850,000 for the project. Commissioners at Long Beach approved $500,000 for the proposed vessel on Monday.
   Foss has said the project was a non-starter without the contributions from the two ports, and would only make a go-ahead decision once the port funding was committed. If built, the estimated $9 million tug is expected to be in service in the Los Angeles-Long Beach ports by 2008.
   The 5,000-horsepower harbor tug's hybrid system, which is still on the drawing board, would comprise two 3,400-horsepower diesel engines, plus a battery pack, generators, and power-management system. According to the Port of Los Angeles, the hybrid design would reduce the vessel's nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions by 44 percent over current diesel tugs. Sulfur dioxides and carbon emissions would also be reduced. Fuel consumption would, according to whom you talk to, be reduced by 20 percent up to 85 percent.
   The hybrid design would turn off the more polluting diesel engine during long idling times and kick in a battery-based electrical power system. Both systems will be used during peak demand, providing the maximum 5,000 horsepower rating.
   The ports have come under increasing fire from local residents over the air quality impacts of the two facilities, which combined make the fifth largest port complex in the world. Both have launched extensive campaigns to promote environmental programs and technologies within the port industry.