Steiner Construction has received an order from American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) to build a towboat with a retractable pilothouse and cleaner-running U.S. EPA Tier 4-rated engines.
The vessel will be 82 feet long with a 34-foot beam and an operating draft of 10 feet, ACBL said in a news release. Delivery is expected in late 2023 from the Bayou La Batre, Ala., shipyard.
“The addition of this new Tier 4 retractable towboat represents our commitment to providing our customers with innovative marine transportation solutions while minimizing our impact on the environment,” ACBL CEO Mike Ellis said in a statement.
Propulsion will come from twin 1,300-hp Mitsubishi Tier 4 engines supplied by Laborde Products. The Tier 4 installation will be the first for Mitsubishi engines within the U.S. market.
Mitsubishi engines, like most others, rely on a selective catalytic reduction system with diesel exhaust fluid dosing system to meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards.
“Tier 4 Mitsubishi engine standards represent the strictest of EPA emission requirements for marine diesel engines today and will significantly reduce emissions,” Laborde Products CEO Brian Laborde said.
Once complete, the vessel will support barge operations in and around the Port of Houston, one of the busiest ports in the United States.
“We are thrilled to partner with ACBL on building this innovative towboat,” Steiner Construction CEO Bubba Steiner said. “Equally important is the fact that this vessel will be equipped with many of the latest advancements in ship building and design. We are eager to bring it to life.”