Diesel Equipment News

Unions hope a $30 million grant to electrify tractors in a Long Beach, California, port terminal's final push to become the world's first zero-emissions facility will serve as a bulwark against lost jobs in an era of energy transition and increasing automation. The money from U.S. President Joe Biden's administration for Long Beach Container Terminal's purchase of 60 electric yard tractors that haul shipping containers from stacks to waiting trains comes with strings attached…

Hydrogen is everywhere. You know that from high school chemistry. And you also know it from Marine News’ almost daily updates about H powered vessel projects around the world.As a fuel that could potentially replace fossil fuels, H is in the spotlight. Perhaps the brightest spotlight, at least in the U.S., is within the Department of Energy’s “Energy Earthshots” initiative.R&D on H was the first such Earthshot announced last year. DOE wants the “Hydrogen Shot” program to “accelerate…

Jörg Franzke, the newly appointed president of Scania U.S.A., Inc., is a company veteran, having been with the Scania group since 1995, building a wide experience in various positions such as Services, Truck Sales, R&D, Network Development and Quality Management. And prior to his current role, Franzke was the Head of Power Solutions at Scania Germany for 10 years.He weighs in on how Scania is helping customers meet their decarbonization agendas, and lays out challenges and opportunities on the path ahead.The commercial marine industry is seeing major changes in several key areas…

Port operations across the country are vital to America’s economy, often coming at a cost to health and welfare of neighboring communities—notably, by emitting harmful emissions and producing poor air quality.Incorporating propane can help ports support economic growth while safeguarding our environment.The loading and unloading of container ships at marine terminals requires a variety of cargo handling equipment, historically powered by diesel and gasoline. As the country seeks to reduce emissions and fight climate change…

US authorities announced that South Korea's top shipbuilding conglomerate Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) will pay a US$47 million fine for illegally importing and selling dirty diesel engines in violation of American environmental rules.US Justice Department and and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that between 2012 and 2015, the company imported nearly 2,300 diesel-powered heavy construction vehicles with engines that did not meet US emissions standards.“Hyundai put profits above the public’s health and the requirements of the law,” Jeffrey Bossert Clark, head of the department’s environment and natural resources division…

Advanced fuel monitoring and energy management technology, designed to deliver significant cost benefits for vessel operators, will be among the key attractions on the Royston diesel power SMM stand.Royston, an internationally based company operating in the global maritime sector for over 40 years, is an authorized representative for Niigata, GE, Yanmar, Volvo Penta, Scania, Napier Turbochargers.With bases in the U.K., Australia and West Africa, it works closely with customer fleets carrying out engine replacement or maintenance…

A new white paper from Alfa Laval addresses ship owner concerns to ensure vessel compliance with bilge water regulations worldwide. Even if a traditional system with type approval is operating on board, the paper states, there are still risks of violating applicable laws and damaging the marine environment. Alfa Laval – a  leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling – has announced the availability of a new white paper, Bilge water compliance issues. The…

DA WEST is a USA Woman Owned Small Business, manufacturing diesel powered equipment to a diverse client base. All products are listed on the GSA ADVANTAGE schedule. The firm provides products to the military, NOAA, Tug and Barge Companies and oil-spill response organizations. DA West builds portable diesel equipment solutions using only the best and toughest components. The firm manufactures diesel trash pumps, fire pumps, air compressors, generators and hydraulic power packs. All of their equipment can be built to meet tier 4 emissions standards.

System integrator Alewijnse Marine Systems said it has won an order for an electrical systems refit aboard RV Belgica, an oceanographic research vessel owned by the Belgian state. Prior to the assignment, Alewijnse carried out a year-long research project on a limited lifetime extension of the vessel. The refit will start in April 2016 and take several months to complete. RV Belgica celebrated her 30th anniversary in 2014 and renovations are necessary for the ship to continue in active service for another seven years.

When business depends on commercial vessels, it's essential for these boats to stay in good condition. Unreliable engines and equipment can lead to days or weeks off the water for repairs, resulting in lost customers. To ensure its fleet is always prepared for the job, Smith Maritime depends on Laborde Products. For its third repower with Smith Maritime, Laborde supplied three Mitsubishi S12R-Y2MPTK Tier II engines rated at 5,000 hp for the tug Rhea. For its maiden voyage, Rhea towed a huge piece of oilfield equipment from Texas to Cape Verde Islands off of Africa before moving on to Nigeria.

Building on its mission statement, "The Right Product, The Right Service, The Right Support", Laborde Products, Inc., headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, is opening a new division, Laborde Equipment Services (LES) in San Antonio, Texas. This new facility will provide service to the rapidly expanding San Antonio metro area and the exploding oil and gas Eagle Ford Shale market. LES will provide fast, on-time service for all makes of diesel and gas engines and engine driven equipment, as well as hydraulic and electrical service. They will also stock and provide parts for a broad range of support. Laborde said it has employed highly qualified and experienced technicians to meet the 24/7 demands.

Helping round out its industrial salesforce, Laborde Products welcomes two new salesmen. Cody Dean will handle industrial engine and equipment sales in southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, while Chris Wright will respond to the needs of northern Louisiana and northern Mississippi. Dean previously served as territorial manager at Woolf-Harris. He will provide customers with the information needed to select the best diesel engine for on/offshore operations, standby and backup generators and all diesel industrial engines for land or permanent applications.

Global marine supplier Alfa Laval now offers a set of sustainable solutions designed to help ship owners and operators comply with current and pending environmental regulations. Grouped under the conceptual name “Pure thinking”, the products will provide security as existing legislation is tightened, as well as compliance with new laws such as those that will regulate ballast water treatment. While most of the solutions can be retrofitted, incorporating them at the newbuilding stage will contribute to gaining DNV’s Clean Design class notation for the vessel under construction. “Long service at sea has given us a deep understanding of the marine environment and demands on the industry.

The (California) Air Resources Board is reminding and encouraging small business owners of off-road diesel vehicles, portable diesel equipment, or diesel marine vessels and engines to take advantage of this loan assistance opportunity. The loan must be completed and executed by August 31, 2012. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award provided $5 million to the loan assistance program to reduce harmful diesel emissions by helping owners upgrade or replace their older vehicles, equipment, or engines. This joint program between the ARB and the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) provides competitive-rate loan opportunities in the current tight credit market to small businesses.

Expanding its sales force, Laborde Products brings on a new salesman. David DiSalvo will handle diesel equipment sales and marketing. He will serve the Gulf Coast and inland rivers territories. "In this position, I hope to establish a presence in new areas, generate new business and grow existing accounts," said DiSalvo. "This is a great opportunity to provide customers with the right product, the right service, and the right support. DiSalvo brings 20 years of marine industry experience. He previously spent 15 years as a senior sales consultant with Green Marine selling major equipment.

Alfa Laval introduced the EPC 60 Retrofit, a new upgrade kit intended to enhance older control systems of previous generations of Alfa Laval centrifugal separators with the modern EPC 60 control unit. The retrofit kit provides a viable alternative for owners of 30-year-old Alfa Laval centrifuges to modernize the entire separation system with a marine-approved PLC system with modular I/O cards. Upgrading an aging control system delivers significant financial gains in the form of improved system reliability, a secure spare parts supply and more uptime.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a $750,000 grant to Broward County’s Port Everglades for diesel emissions reduction through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Clean Diesel Campaign. Funds will allow the port to retrofit, upgrade or replace diesel engines to reduce emissions. Broward County is also contributing $510,000 to emissions reduction projects at the port. The grant will fund the purchase and installation of diesel emissions reduction equipment for on-road and off-road equipment, replacement of old generators, forklifts, and service vehicles. Other port projects include diesel cargo handling equipment that will be retrofitted with newer emissions reduction technology…

The Air Resources Board staff has posted the Prop 1B Notice of Funding Availability.  This notice solicits applications from eligible local and State agencies to administer funding to reduce emissions and health impacts from diesel equipment used to move freight in California’s four trade corridors.  The notice describes the types of agencies eligible to apply, as well as the two-step process for registration and application submittal.  Applications are due on May 10, 2010.  Please see the Program website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/gmbond for more information.

According to the EPA, the federal government is providing nearly $2 million in stimulus funds to control diesel pollution at the Port of Charleston. The grant is intended to provide jobs and help the state Ports Authority retrofit cargo handling and other diesel equipment at the port, the EPA said. Federal officials said the award includes support to clean up the engines on 36 pieces of cargo-handling machinery as well as improvements for two tugboats and a dredge.

Laborde Products added National Maintenance and Repair as a service and sales dealer. It supports the river and rail industries with facilities in Hartford, Illinois; Paducah, Kentucky; and Harahan, Louisiana. National Maintenance and Repair will provide sales and support for Laborde Products' Mitsubishi marine propulsion engines in all three locations. It will also provide sales and service for Laborde's packaged product division, Diesel America. Offering a wide range of diesel-powered equipment, including pumps, generators, pressure washers, barge pumps and other special diesel equipment, the line is powered with FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies), Yanmar, Mitsubishi and other quality products distributed by Laborde.

Chem Carriers, the Sunshine, Louisiana-based cargo carrier, once again chose Mitsubishi engines for its new M/V Dorella Banta. The 70 ft x 28 ft x 10 ft, 131-ton towboat was built by Rodriguez Boat Builders. The twin engines, supplied by Laborde, are Mitsubishi S12A2 series rated at 850 hp at 1,940 rpm. The 12-cylinder, 34-liter engines are EPA compliant. The vessel is equipped with 7:1 reduction gears, allowing the engines to turn 75 inch x 73 inch four-blade stainless steel propellers in a 76 inch Type 19A Kort Nozzel.

EPA has unveiled a new plan of action for working with public port authorities and other interested groups to reduce the environmental impacts of moving goods through ports. The "Vision, , and Strategy for Sustainable Ports" recognizes the steady growth in global maritime commerce and the critical role American ports and related transportation and supply chain partners play in managing the environmental impacts of moving goods across the country. Ports are vital to the economy. Ocean-going ships move more than 99 percent of overseas trade (by weight). The top ten U.S. ports moved a combined total of 23 million cargo containers in 2006.

The Diesel Technology Forum today launched a new Web site focusing on clean diesel solutions to reduce emissions from existing diesel engines according to Forum Executive Director Allen Schaeffer. “This unique site is geared toward key stakeholders including trucking and transit bus fleet owners and operators, equipment operators, government officials, the media and general public,” stated Schaeffer. For nearly 18 months, the Diesel Technology Forum has been working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and state and regional governments providing technical, policy and program support for these programs. EPA has established a campaign goal of retrofitting 100,000 existing diesel engines by January 1, 2002.