Long Beach to Add World's First Electric Hydrofoil Pilot Boat
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- MARITIME_EXECUTIVELong Beach Gets World's First Hydrofoiling Electric Pilot Boat
- Marine insightAmerica’s First Electric Hydrofoil Pilot Boat Is Coming To One Of The Nation’s Busiest Ports Backed By A $3.2 Million Grant
- Chamber of shippingPort of Long Beach to introduce first electric hydrofoil pilot boat in the U.S.
Jacobsen Pilot Service, the exclusive pilotage service provider for the Port of Long Beach, has acquired an Artemis EF-12 Pilot vessel from the UK-based, Belfast-headquartered firm Artemis Technologies. According to the sources, this is the world's first pilot boat to combine electric propulsion with hydrofoil technology, and it will be the first commercial deployment of this type of vessel in the United States.
Technical Specifications
The vessel uses hydrofoils to lift the hull out of the water during transit to and from the pilot boarding point, and retracts them for displacement mode during ship-side transfers, reducing onboard vibration and noise. Maritime Executive notes that it can reach speeds of 32 knots with four passengers and has a range of up to 40 nautical miles at cruising speed, while Marine Insight and Chamber of Shipping report a service speed of 25 knots and capacity for four pilots and two crew members. Delivery is expected by late 2027.
Fuel and Emissions Savings
Once operational, the vessel is expected to cover around 30% of Jacobsen's annual operating hours. The sources agree that it will save approximately 40,000 gallons of diesel per year and cut CO2 emissions by 400 tons, in addition to reducing NOx, SOx, and particulate matter. Maritime Executive estimates these fuel savings at more than $200,000 annually at current prices.
Financing
The purchase is backed by public funding. Maritime Executive details that the Port of Long Beach is supporting the acquisition with funds from the State of California's Port and Freight Infrastructure Program, part of the $380 million the port holds across two grants under that program. Marine Insight and Chamber of Shipping specify that Jacobsen received $3,233,596 through the port's SWIFT (System-Wide Investment in Freight Transport) program, funded by the California State Transportation Agency.
Context of the Agreement
Tom Jacobsen, President and CEO of Jacobsen Pilot Service, described the partnership as a step toward a new standard for sustainable pilot boat operations, while Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, highlighted that the vessel supports the goal of making Long Beach the world's first zero-emissions port. Maritime Executive notes that the San Pedro Bay port complex is the busiest container hub in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 7,000 vessel movements per year facilitated by Jacobsen.
