According to a report from Telegraph-Journal, as seaports try to raise their environmental standards, some companies are finding business opportunities. Foss Maritime Co. of Seattle, for instance, has developed the Prius of tugboats, which consumes less diesel and generates less pollution by using batteries for all the vessel's low-power needs. Foss calls it the world's first hybrid tug and expects to deliver it to the Port of Los Angeles early next year. Other companies will discover what Foss learned. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest cargo container ports in the nation, are willing to serve as testing grounds, business incubators and venture capitalists. About $1.35m in development costs for the Foss hybrid tug came from the two ports and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
(Source: Telegraph-Journal)