EPA Tier 3 Engines On Signet Maritime’s ASD Tugs
Signet Maritime Corporation has announced they are the first to install the Cat C175 ACERT 16-cylinder main propulsion diesel engines rated at 3,417 BHP each on their two support/escort tugs being built in Gulfport, MS at Trinity Offshore. The engines represent the next generation in technology for addressing the needs of emissions and hazardous location applications and meet offshore emissions requirements.
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 specialised terminal support/escort tugs will provide marine services for Angola LNG Supply Services (ALSS) vessels into the Port of Pascagoula.
Tier 3
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 – meeting EPA Tier 3, EU Stage IIIA, and IMO Marine Tier II regulations – will result in lower emissions, improved performance, and reduced fuel consumption, (EPA Tier 3, EU Stage IIIA, and IMO Marine Tier II). 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 modernised common rail fuel injection systems.
Signet Maritime
Signet Maritime Corporation, with its Colle division, is a full service international marine transportation company. Signet specialises in harbour tugboat operations, ocean rig transport, heavy-lift cargo barges, petroleum transport and marine logistics. The fleet consists of 35 vessels including 25 ocean and harbour tugboats, seven ocean and inland barges and three ASD Z-Drive tugboats under construction to handle LNG shipments, harbour 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.