Signet Maritime Corporation announced they are the first to install the Cat® C175 ACERT 16-cylinder main propulsion diesel engines rated at 3417 BHP each on their two support/escort tugs being built in Gulfport, MS. These engines represent the next generation in technology for addressing the needs of emissions and hazardous location applications and meet offshore emissions requirements, including EPA Tier 3, EU Stage IIIA, and IMO Marine Tier II. The Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAstar 3100 class tugs are engineered to provide superior ship handling, escort, and sea-keeping performance. Slated for an October 2011 delivery, these highly specialized terminal support/escort tugs will provide marine services for Angola LNG Supply Services (ALSS) vessels into the Port of Pascagoula.
J. Barry Snyder , president of Signet Maritime, stated, “A vital evolution for this decade is the initiation of Tier 3 environmental protection with internal combustion engines and we are the first to install the new Cat C175-16 EPA Tier 3 engines on ASD tugs.” Signet is a strong proponent of using green technology and protecting the environment; using these new engines will result in lower emissions, improved performance, and reduced fuel consumption.
The new engines accomplish this with the support of the Cat ACERT technology, which is a combination of advanced electronics/monitoring systems, increased engine efficiencies through computer aided design, and modernized common rail fuel injection systems.
About Signet Maritime
Signet Maritime Corporation, with its Colle division, is a full service domestic and international marine transportation company. Signet specializes in harbor tugboat operations, ocean rig transport, heavy-lift cargo barges, petroleum transport and marine logistics. The fleet consists of thirty-five (35) vessels including twenty-five (25) ocean and harbor tug boats, seven (7) ocean and inland barges and three (3) ASD Z-Drive tugboats under construction to handle LNG shipments, harbor docking and ocean towing. Signet owns and operates a full service shipyard and husbanding facility for vessels ranging from 25’ to 200’ in size. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Signet operates in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Morgan City, Louisiana, Ingleside, Texas, Brownsville, Texas, Dubai UAE, and Brazil SA. Signet is certified by the American Bureau of Shipping to ISO 9001:2008 and ISM, as well as STCW-95, MTSA, AWO-RCP.
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Source: Signet Maritime, April 15, 2011.