Four newbuilds added, fleeting company acquired in the US

Master Marine built 20.4-m Grain Express for this Cooper Group subsidiary to naval architecture by Entech Designs. This is the second of a four-vessel series. The first of these vessels, Iron Lady, was delivered to Plimsoll Marine in September 2020. The other two push boats are scheduled for completion in 2021.

“Plimsoll Marine’s goal is to provide the Lower Mississippi River with premier push boat services and the delivery of Grain Express marks yet another milestone in our effort to build and maintain the industry’s most modern fleet of push boats,” said Cooper group president Angus R Cooper III. “We look forward to operating all four of these new vessels, including Grain Express, at Cooper Consolidated’s midstream terminals and barge fleets.”

Grain Express is powered by two Mitsubishi 803 HP diesel marine engines, rated to comply with US Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 emissions requirements.

These engines develop 600 kW of power at 1,400 rpm to drive four-blade stainless steel Sound propellers through Twin Disc 5321 gears.

Laborde Products supplied the Mitsubishi engines and two Northern Lights 65-kW electronic-controlled generators, rated for US EPA Tier 3 compliance and RW Fernstrum supplied keel coolers throughout. J&S Machine Works provided ABS Grade two propeller shafts with Thordon bearings, Thorplas bushings and shaft seals. Rio Controls and Hydraulic delivered the steering system for the two main and four flanking rudders.

Other services and equipment were sourced from Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics, Schuyler Maritime, Blakeney Marine, RS Price & Son, Donavon Marine, Wintech International, Unlimited Control & Supply, New World and Dales Welding and Fabricators.

These additions come as San Jac Marine shipyard completed two push boats for Buffalo Marine. Vessels Addison Faith and Tracee Lynn have been delivered to the inland waterways fleet during Q4 2020.

Hines Furlong Line has also added another inland vessel to its fleet. C&C Marine delivered CT Marine-designed Scarlett Rose Furlong with Cummins engines and Sound propellers during Q4 2020.

Also in Louisiana, New Orleans-headquartered Turn Services has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and business of Bayou Fleet. Turn Services is one of the largest independent barge fleeting and shifting companies in the US.

Bayou Fleet provides fleeting, shifting and dry cargo and liquid barge cleaning services from its facility in Hahnville on the Lower Mississippi River. The acquisition transaction is expected to close on or before 31 December 2020.