eWolf, First All-Electric Tugboat, Enters Service in Port of San Diego After Christening

The eWolf, America’s first all-electric ship assist harbor tugboat, has been christened in San Diego ahead of its launch in the Port of San Diego.

Operating with zero-emissions and other sustainable technology, the tugboat, from Crowley, a global ship owner-operator and services provider, was produced by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala.

“The eWolf is a historic milestone in the maritime industry and Crowley’s legacy, and underscores our company’s commitment to serve as global sustainability leaders and innovators,” said Tom Crowley, the company’s chairman and CEO. “The all-electric tugboat is the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind, and eWolf will help our customers and communities reach their decarbonization goals while delivering capabilities that strengthen our vital supply chain.”

The 82-foot vessel delivers 70 tons of bollard pull, stronger than its conventional predecessor, and also features a fully integrated electrical package for battery energy storage by ABB. eWolf is supported by a new microgrid shoreside charging station that enables the tug to operate at full performance daily on electricity.

Crowley was joined at the vessel christening last week by project partners represented by Gustav Hein, director of the Mid-Pacific Gateway Region for the U.S. Maritime Administration; Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego board chair; Jack Shu, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board chair and La Mesa City Council member; Diane Takvorian, a member of the California Air Resources Board, and San Diego CIty Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava.

Crowley Vice Chairwoman Christine Crowley served as the sponsor to give the blessing and conduct the christening on San Diego Bay.

Urtasun noted the port’s efforts with Crowley, along with government partners, on “electrification initiatives at and around our port, including electric cargo handling equipment like our all-electric mobile harbor cranes, our microgrid, vessel shore power and more.”

“Crowley’s first-of-its-kind electric tugboat is a game changer. It checks all the boxes by providing environmental, economic and operational benefits for our communities and maritime industry,” he said.

Takvorian pointed out that communities near ports, in this case Barrio Logan and National City, are exposed to more diesel pollution than 90% of California communities, with children who experience up to five times more asthma hospitalizations.

“The eWolf will contribute significantly to creating a healthy environment for all communities.” she said.

Crowley chose eWolf’s name in a nod to a tugboat in the company’s initial fleet, the Sea Wolf, which operated more than a century ago in California.