Arc Boat converts a tugboat to electric drive for the Port of LA

Arc Boat Company, a firm aiming to electrify the marine industry, is moving into the commercial sector and will now convert internal combustion engine-powered boats into electrically-powered ones.

The first customer for this service is the Port of Los Angeles, which will see one of its 26-foot (7.9-meter) tugboats electrified with Arc’s electric powertrain and software technology.

“This is the future of every port in the world,” said Arc’s Robert Binkowski, who is in charge of new product development and whose LinkedIn page sports a message advising that he is “electrifying the marine industry at Arc Boats.”

To build the electric tug, Arc is working with a West Coast shipyard, Diversified Marine. When completed, the tug will feature the same high-voltage architecture as the latest Arc Sport model. It will be propelled by a 600 hp (608 PS) dual-motor drivetrain mated to a modern captain’s helm and Arc’s real-time performance monitoring.

The company was founded in 2021 as a venture-backed startup based in Los Angeles. It launched its first product in 2022, the Arc One, a limited edition all-electric cruiser. Only 20 were built. In February 2024, the company introduced the 500 HP (507 PS) Arc Sport, an electric wake boat that offered more power and technology than the Arc One. Notably, the company has raised over $100 million in funding from notable investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Eclipse Ventures and Menlo Ventures.

Source: Arc Boat Company