California’s Tugboat Operators Struggle Under Costly New Emissions Rules

Industry officials said the revised harbor watercraft rule requires air filtration technology that does not exist.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Public Domain

OAKLAND, Calif.—The tugboat the Fishing Creek’s 3,000 units of horsepower are generated by twin Caterpillar engines, enabling the tugboat to push, pull, and maneuver barges and cargo ships weighing tens of thousands of tons.

The tugboat, a 94-foot floating powerhouse built in 2017, is docked securely in Alameda port harbor; it is part of Vane Brothers’ nationwide fleet of 50 tugboats and 80 barges.