ACBL Unveils America’s Most Powerful Inland Towboat At WorkBoat Show

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) celebrated a milestone at the WorkBoat Show in New Orleans on November 12, 2024, by christening the M/V ACBL Mariner, the largest and most powerful inland towboat now in operation on U.S. waterways.

Officials and prominent figures, including Governor Jeff Landry, attended the ceremony.

The christening ceremony of the vessel sets new standards for the reduction of capacity, power, and environmental impact on the Mississippi River.

The M/V ACBL Mariner, measuring 250 feet long and 50 feet wide, is powered by two Caterpillar C280-12 engines that generate an impressive 11,000 horsepower.

This power allows the Mariner to push up to 64 barges, totalling 75,000 tonnes of cargo, roughly similar to the capacity of a Panamax cargo vessel.

Video Credits: American Commercial Barge Line/Facebook

ACBL CEO Mike Ellis, this new towboat shows the company’s commitment to strength, innovation, and sustainability. This investment, he says, will lead the maritime and logistics sectors for generations to come.

One of the vessel’s most distinguishing features is its ability to run efficiently while reducing environmental impact.

The towboat is expected to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions per ton-mile by about 20% compared to standard 6,000 horsepower vessels.

The vessel’s draft can be adjusted by up to 18 inches to tackle challenges posed by low water levels during dry seasons.

ACBL, known for its extensive fleet of 130 towboats and 3,500 barges, transports around 50 million tonnes of wet and dry cargo each year and is one of the largest inland transport operators in the country.

The crew’s comfort has also been prioritised in the vessel’s design, with features like single-bunk staterooms and an advanced spring-loaded isolation system for the superstructure that reduces vibrations.

These amenities are designed to improve the working conditions for ACBL’s crew members, crucial to the company’s extensive logistics network.

The shipbuilder who built the Mariner, C&C Marine and Repair, shared their pride in the vessel’s completion, saying that it may be the first of several high-horsepower towboats to meet the growing demand in the inland transportation market.

C&C Marine President Tony Cibilich described the Mariner as an essential innovation in the industry with similar vessels to follow.

With the mariner’s unique size, capabilities, and technological advancements, the company aims to strengthen its position in inland transport and expand its network across U.S. waterways.

References: ACBL, Nola

Source: Maritime Shipping News