Port Houston is charting a new course in maritime sustainability with the announcement of a 73-foot electric tour vessel that will replace the nearly 70-year-old M/V Sam Houston. Since 1958, the Sam Houston has carried over two million passengers on tours of the Houston Ship Channel, offering visitors a unique view of one of the busiest ports in the United States.
The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and built by Louisiana-based Breaux Brothers Enterprises, will usher in a new era of ship channel tours. Purpose-built as a hybrid-electric passenger vessel, it will operate in an all-electric, battery-powered mode for its regular two-hour educational tours. A shoreside charging connection with AC/DC converters will keep the vessel powered sustainably, while backup CAT generators ensure operational flexibility when extended range is required.
While this new tour vessel represents innovation, it is also rooted in tradition. The build will take place at Breaux Brothers Enterprises, a family-owned yard in South Louisiana with a long-standing reputation as one of the most skilled aluminum boatbuilders in the United States.
Founded in 1983, Breaux Brothers specializes in custom-built aluminum vessels, designed to meet each owner’s specific requirements. Their reputation spans decades and multiple generations, with second- and third-generation boatbuilders actively involved in every project.
Breaux Brothers has delivered vessels across the spectrum — from crew boats, patrol boats, and dive vessels, to catamarans, motor yachts, and sightseeing vessels like Port Houston’s new tour boat. Their expertise has earned them high regard from the U.S. Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and the wider marine industry.
As the company itself puts it:
Boat building is in our veins. We are not just a family-owned boat building firm, we are on the job every day and are involved in every aspect of the operation.
This partnership between Port Houston, Incat Crowther, and Breaux Brothers reflects not only the Gulf Coast’s central role in America’s maritime industry, but also how the region’s deep-rooted craftsmanship is shaping the future of sustainable vessel design.
Propulsion & Performance Highlights
- Service Speed: 2.0 knots
- Prime Generators: 2 x CAT C9.3 300kW
- Hybrid System: Twin Disc Series Hybrid
- e-Motors: 2 x 265kW
- Gearboxes: 2 x Twin Disc MGE-5065 SC
- Propulsion: 2 x Fixed pitch propellers
- Batteries: 768 kWh
A Modern Passenger Experience
Designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, the vessel will seat 150 passengers across two decks.
- Main Deck: Air-conditioned seating for 68 passengers, two wheelchair spaces, a kiosk, information counter, and four bathrooms.
- Upper Deck: Seating for 81 passengers, 90% under cover, designed for easy passenger flow and panoramic views. The expansive wheelhouse will also be located on this deck, providing the crew with 360-degree visibility.
The new electric propulsion system will provide guests with a whisper-quiet touring experience, making the sights and sounds of the Houston Ship Channel more immersive than ever before.
In Perspective
Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston, shared:
More than two million people have taken our boat tour to see Houston’s vast maritime activity first-hand. It’s a unique experience that we are proud to provide. We are excited to partner with Incat Crowther and Breaux Brothers on a new, low-emission vessel that will reduce the carbon footprint of our tour while offering guests a truly memorable experience.
Grant Pecoraro, Managing Director of Incat Crowther North America, added:
This vessel demonstrates that modern electric propulsion technology can provide both increased operational efficiency and flexibility, while offering an elevated customer experience. We’re pleased to be partnering with Breaux Brothers to deliver a cutting-edge solution tailored to Port Houston’s operational needs.
This announcement signals a major step forward not only for Port Houston but for the entire Gulf Coast maritime community. With the new vessel, Houston is embracing sustainability while continuing its tradition of connecting the public to the port’s world-class maritime operations.
We look forward to seeing this vessel enter service by late 2026.