#ports

Next-Generation Hybrid Cruise Vessel Debuts at The Port of Los Angeles

A new hybrid, 350-passenger vessel operated by Harbor Breeze Cruises is now in operation at the Port of Los Angeles, the result of a partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Port of Long Beach. The El Escudo features a parallel hybrid propulsion system enabling operation in fully electric, diesel, or hybrid modes, with capacity to operate for up to two hours on battery power alone with zero emissions. The vessel will operate at least 30% of the time in zero-emission mode. Development was conducted under the LA MER Project, supported by a $31 million CARB grant and $30 million in matching funds, projected to reduce over 60 tons of emissions annually.