Florida Marine Transporters is expanding its fleet with four inland towboats newbuildings, the first of which entered service this month.
This Louisiana, US-headquartered group took delivery of Brian Boudreaux from its builder Eastern Shipbuilding Group on 20 May 2019. Three more of these inland towboats are on order for delivery between H2 2019 and 2020.
Eastern Shipbuilding is constructing these vessels at its Allanton facility in Florida using a design from Gilbert Associates.
Brian Boudreaux is the first newbuilding vessel of this series to be issued a Sub-M Certificate of Inspection from the US Coast Guard. The other three newbuildings will be built to the same standard.
When all four are completed, Florida Marine Transporters will operate 70 vessels in the US. The owner has added 25 vessels since starting a newbuilding campaign in 2006.
Florida Marine Transporters chief executive said the group has developed into one of the largest inland marine companies with one of the youngest towboat and tank barge fleets in the industry.
Its tugs tow tank barges with cargoes of petrochemicals, chemicals, LPG, crude oil, agricultural liquids and dry cargo on North American inland waterways.
Brian Boudreaux is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines, rated at 1,120 kW at 1,600 rpm, supplied by Louisiana CAT Power Systems.
The reduction gears are direct coupled Twin-Disc model MG-5600 with a 6.04:1 reduction supplied by Stewart Supply.
Electrical power is provided by two 99 kW John Deere 4045AFM85 Tier 3 generator sets rated for 60 Hz at 208 V alternating current, provided by Kennedy Engine Co.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.