Private tugboat operator Crowley says it recently took delivery of the eWolf, the first all-electric tugboat in the United States.
The “etug” is scheduled to begin service this spring at the Port of San Diego, according to the announcement by Crowley.
“The eWolf marks a significant achievement for Crowley and the maritime industry,” the company said in a media release.
Self-designed by Crowley, the eWolf run will be emission-free but maintain traditional tug capabilities.
Built in Alabama, the tug will generate 178 tons less nitrogen oxide, 2.5 tons less diesel particulates and 3,100 metric tons less carbon dioxide over the first 10 years of its operation.
This achievement is equal to saving the consumption of 350,000 gallons of gasoline, according to EPA calculations, Crowley said.
The 82-foot tug will begin operations upon completion of Crowley’s microgrid shoreside charging station.
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Privately held Brain Corp, which specializes in autonomous robots, claims it has made significant steps in its a technology in 2023.
The San Diego company also appointed Chris Lobdell as its new chief revenue officer.
Brain Corp says it surpassed a significant milestone in 2023 — 30,000 robots were subscribed to the company’s BrainOS Robotics Platform.
In a news release, the company says its fleet of floor-scrubbing robots cleaned 38 billion square feet autonomously, the equivalent of cleaning an area the size of Luxembourg.
Additionally, Lobdell’s appointment aims to scale sales, marketing, and client success operations, strengthening customer relationships and partnerships.
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San Diego’s Cetera Financial Group has announced its completion of a strategic, minority investment in Arizona-based Wilde Wealth Management, an independent firm managing over $2.8 billion in assets.
Wilde Wealth provides such services as legacy and tax planning, and investment management at nine locations in the Southwest.
Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Wilde Wealth manages more than $2.8 billion in assets under administration for clients and oversees more than 42 advisors.
Cetera is home to 12,000 financial professionals and oversees more than $475 billion in assets under administration and $190 billion in assets under management.
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ApartmentList released its latest Renter Migration report, revealing the search patterns of millions of its users, which indicates a slowdown in U.S. migration last year. The report said that certain metro-to-metro trends persist, indicating renter attraction or loss for U.S. cities for the upcoming year.
In San Diego, 32% of its users search for apartments in other cities, with Los Angeles, Riverside, and Phoenix being top destinations.
Another 38% of renters looking for San Diego apartments are from out-of-town, mostly from Los Angeles, Riverside, and Phoenix, all lower-cost markets.
According to a news release from ApartmentList, “There have been outflows from some of the nation’s largest and most expensive markets with shifts to some more affordable and less densely populated parts of the country.”
The study found that even as many of the key migration patterns of recent years continue, moving activities are beginning to ease.
In 2023, more renters were looking to stay where they currently live and fewer were looking to move long distances.
California has a net migration of -0.09%. New York State had the highest net migration of -1.5%.
South Carolina had the largest net in migration of +1.6%.
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Pennsylvania-based Insomnia Cookies has opened its second San Diego store in the Gaslamp Quarter, marking its 17th in California and 266th nationwide.
To celebrate the new location, the confectioner will host a late-night grand opening event, featuring freebies and treats, and will donate a portion of retail sales to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, demonstrating its commitment to the local community.
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A new cruise ship will be visiting San Diego, with an eye-popping itinerary once it sails from the city.
The good ship, the Crystal Serenity, will set out on the 125-night world cruise on Feb. 3 from the Port of San Diego. The ship is now part of the Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group.
The ship, along with a sister vessel, recently underwent $150 million in renovations, and this epic itinerary will be its first world cruise for the Crystal in five years.
By the way, the cruise costs $68,000 per passenger. A spokeswoman says 200 folks have signed up for the epic voyage.
Check out the details here.
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The College of American Pathologists has given accreditation to the San Diego clinical lab Genome Insight for its whole genome sequencing services.
Genome Insight executive Stephanie Ferguson said the accreditation underscores the significance of whole genome sequencing in advancing precision medicine.
According to a news release, the accreditation is seen as a gold standard, and “highlights the company’s dedication to excellence and boosts confidence in the accuracy and reliability of its genomic testing services with medical providers and patients.”
The clinical lab was launched in 2022.
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California Walmart store managers have a new benefit: an annual stock grant of up to $20,000.
This new benefit follows the announcement of increases in store manager pay, with average salaries rising to $128,000 per year and a revamped bonus program offering bonuses of up to 200% of salary.
The retailer’s CEO, John Furner, made the announcements in Houston, detailing the breakdown of the stock grants based on store format: $20,000 for Supercenters, $15,000 for Neighborhood Markets or Division 1 stores, and $10,000 for Hometown stores.
Walmart operates 22 stores in San Diego County, not including two stores that will be shuttered in February, one on Imperial Avenue in San Diego and another on Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon.
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SeaWorld Entertainment, operator of the SeaWorld theme park here in San Diego, will change its name to United Parks & Resorts Inc. on Feb. 12.
The name change applies only to the parent company, while the company’s seven park brands, including SeaWorld, will retain their current names.
“Each of our iconic parks, including the four SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, will continue to operate under the same names our guests know and love. What also remains unchanged is our deep commitment to creating experiences that matter for our guests and inspiring them to help protect animals and the wild wonders of the world,” said Marc Swanson, a company executive.
Tom York is a Carlsbad-based independent journalist who specializes in writing about business and the economy. If you have news tips you’d like to share, send them to tom.york@gmail.com.
