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US owners extend towboat lives through repower projects
Three US-based owners of tugboats and towboats have completed repower projects to boost power from ageing vessels, extending their operational life
Rockport, Texas-headquartered Lydia Ann Channel Fleet (LACF) has optimised propulsion on its triple-screw towboat Lydia Ann by replacing engines with more powerful and efficient units.
LACF, which provides fleeting and fuel services along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, contracted Laborde Products to replace John Deere 6125 engines with Scania DI13 080M marine engines, each delivering 300 kW at 1,800 rpm.
“We chose Laborde Products and Scania engines because of their dependability and efficiency,” said Lydia Ann Channel Fleet president and director of operations Todd Maise. “This repower helps us reduce fuel costs and maintenance, keeping our operation running smoothly.”
Scania DI13 080M engines, supplied by Laborde Products, meet US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 3 and IMO Tier II emissions standards, helping to lower emissions along the waterway, while improving fuel efficiency and torque.
McKinney Marine has also contracted Laborde Products to replace engines on one of its ageing tugboats with power units compliant with US EPA Tier 3 requirements. This project involved replacing two Detroit 16V71 engines on Charles Cuthbert with two Mitsubishi S6R-Y3MPTAW-4 engines, each providing 470 kW at 1,600 rpm.
“The Mitsubishi engines provide the performance and dependability we need to keep Charles Cuthbert running smoothly,” said McKinney Marine vice president of operations Andy McKinney. “These engines are built to last, which is critical for minimising downtime and keeping our fleet on schedule.”
Jeffersonville, Indiana-headquartered American Commercial Barge Line has repowered towboat Ed with two Mitsubishi S6R-Y3 engines, producing 510 kW at 1,800 rpm, which are EPA Tier 3 compliant. This was completed at Bollinger Quick Repair shipyard in Harvey, Louisiana.
Laborde has expanded its network along the US East Coast with the addition of Western Branch Diesel, in Portsmouth, Virginia to provide Mitsubishi Marine engines.
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