Seattle Shipyard Launched Electric Tugboat Hulls
The city-based construction project will eventually deliver eight high-capacity vessels for maritime operations.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Seattle-based shipbuilder Snow & Co has launched the hulls for the first two battery-electric tugs, Tuuli C and Tiger C. These vessels are part of a larger, $160 million contract to supply eight hybrid-electric tugs for West Coast terminal operations.
Why it matters
These electric vessels represent a shift toward zero-emission harbor logistics by replacing traditional diesel power with massive battery arrays. This move supports cleaner air quality for coastal communities and demonstrates the increasing industrial application of high-capacity electric propulsion.
The $160 million order covers eight vessels, each equipped with a 6-MWh battery package and 3,000-kW propulsion system. Each tug is designed to deliver 55 tons of bollard pull, significantly exceeding the power output of existing electric push boat fleets.
The players
Snow & Co
A Seattle-based shipyard specializing in the construction of commercial marine vessels and complex modular assembly.
Curtin Maritime
A terminal operator known for its investment in electrified port infrastructure and sustainable harbor logistics.
Arc
The technology firm providing the specialized 6-MWh battery packages required for the high-power electric tug fleet.
The details
Snow & Co builds these tugs using a modular design, fabricating 19 distinct sections that are joined to form the final vessel. The Tuuli C recently reached a milestone with the installation of its deckhouse, high-capacity battery system, and two Schottel azimuth thrusters. Once completed, the electric propulsion systems will allow for high-torque maneuvering required for heavy harbor work without diesel emissions.
Timeline
Q3 2025: Curtin Maritime awarded the $160 million construction contract.
September 2026: Deckhouse and propulsion systems were installed on the Tuuli C.
2026-2028: Delivery period for the eight hybrid-electric tugboat fleet.
The Home Front
This project represents a major advancement in the electrification of heavy-duty maritime work, moving far beyond the capacity of earlier electric push boats like the Isla C. As ports transition to cleaner power, these vessels set a new industry benchmark for large-scale electric propulsion.
Residents in Seattle may monitor the ongoing shipyard activity as these modular vessels move toward their 2026-2028 delivery schedule. The project highlights a growing local trend in clean-energy manufacturing that may influence future infrastructure developments and port-related air quality.
The takeaway
The rapid expansion of electric tugboat production indicates that clean-energy technology is becoming the standard for heavy-duty harbor logistics. Homeowners interested in sustainable transit can track the progress of these 55-ton bollard-pull vessels through future port infrastructure updates.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in local Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Riviera.
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