Snow & Co Launched Electric Tug Hulls in Seattle

The shipyard has launched hulls for two new electric tugs as part of a major contract for Curtin Maritime.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Snow & Co Launched Electric Tug Hulls in Seattle

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Seattle-based shipbuilder Snow & Co has launched the hulls for the Tuuli C and Tiger C, the first of eight new hybrid-electric tugs. This project is part of a $160 million contract to upgrade terminal operations for Curtin Maritime.

Why it matters

This order signals a major shift toward electrifying heavy harbor vessels to reduce emissions at major shipping hubs. The new fleet will significantly enhance capacity compared to existing electric assets like the push boat Isla C.

Each tug features a 6-MWh battery package and 3,000-kW propulsion, delivering 55 tons of bollard pull. The vessels are constructed in 19 modular sections to streamline the assembly process.

The players

Snow & Co

This Seattle-based shipyard is responsible for the modular construction and assembly of the new hybrid-electric tug fleet.

Curtin Maritime

This maritime company provides terminal operations and has commissioned the new electric tugboats for its fleet.

Arc

This organization is supplying the 6-MWh battery systems required to power each of the new tugboats.

The details

In September, workers installed the deckhouse, power cabinets, batteries, and two Schottel azimuth thrusters onto the Tuuli C. The construction schedule requires the assembly of six additional tugboats over the next 18 months.

Q3 2025: Curtin Maritime awarded the $160 million contract.
September 2026: Deckhouse and propulsion systems installed on Tuuli C.
October 2026: Construction progress on hulls reported.
2026-2028: Delivery window for the eight hybrid-electric tugboats.

Roadmap

This project represents a critical scale-up in the commercial adoption of large-scale battery-electric maritime propulsion systems. It positions the fleet to replace diesel-reliant tugs with high-capacity electric vessels capable of meeting heavy terminal requirements.

These vessels will directly support operations at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, aiming to reduce port-related emissions. The scale of the contract indicates a long-term transition toward electric harbor services in major West Coast hubs.

The takeaway

The deployment of these high-capacity electric tugs demonstrates that heavy industrial maritime tasks can be performed with zero-emission technology. Fleet operators are increasingly favoring modular construction to accelerate the transition from diesel to electric infrastructure.