Natural Gas Engines News

The total investment in six luxury ships for Explora Journeys worth $3.7BMSC Group Cruises Division confirmed the order of two hydrogen ships for its luxury brand Explora Journeys with Fincantieri, confirming its commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050. The contracts are conditional on obtaining financing for the shipowner.The two new ships will pursue the use of liquid hydrogen fuel cells for hotel operations while in port, to eliminate carbon emissions with engines turned off.

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has signed a Letter of Intent with Chinese shipbuilder Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore to deliver a large technology package for the BT-220IU Wind Turbine Installation Unit.The offshore installation vessel BT-220IU is to be constructed for the Norway-based company OIM Wind, with an option for another vessel of identical design. The vessel, expected to be delivered in 2022, will be suitable for transporting and installing multiple sets of next- and future-generation wind turbines…

Rolls-Royce and Canadian vessel designers Robert Allan have developed the world's first shallow-water push boat powered by LNG natural gas engines. DNV GL gave its “Approval in Principle” to the new design at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans. “The interest of the market regarding the design study of Robert Allan and Rolls-Royce confirms that the decision was right to develop a lean-burn gas engine. We have found operators across the globe who have seen the benefits of operational costs in addition to the reduction of environmental impact…

Spanish shipping company Baleària said its Hypatia de Alejandría, first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled ferry on the Mediterranean, completed its first commercial trip between Barcelona and Palma.The ferry reached the Port of Barcelona last Sunday from Venice where the shipyard Cantiere Navale Visentini, where it was built, is located.The president of Baleària, Adolfo Utor, and the Chairwoman of Port of Barcelona, Mercè Conesa, exchanged metopes to commemorate the first port of call for the Hypatia de Alejandría at this port which, just like the shipping company, is committed to reducing emissions and promoting the use of LNG.“The Hypatia of Alexandria marks an important milestone both in the history of Baleària and navigation in the Mediterranean…

In mid-April of 2016, the Indian Navy’s grab hopper dredger, Dredger-1 was preparing to depart its birth shipyard following a comprehensive one-year warrantee review. Tebma Shipyards Ltd., Senior Vice President M. Balasubramaniam explained that the 44.15 by 12.2-meter vessel was designed to meet precise deepening requirements around docks and port installations and in riverine or other places where deepening of specific areas is required. The vessel has a 320-HP Cummins-855-powered forward-mounted crane supplied by Titagarth Wagons.

Geotab, a telematics engineering company, and Cummins Inc., an  independent manufacturer of diesel and natural gas engines, controls and emission solutions, has announced that Cummins Connected Diagnostics application is now available to customers using Geotab's fleet management solution. Geotab is one of the first technology providers in the telematics industry to support Connected Diagnostics, and provides improved fleet management, equipment maintenance and repair support to Cummins customers. Connected Diagnostics leverages data from Geotab's latest GO devices to provide immediate notification of urgent engine system faults, and provides actionable information and genuine Cummins recommendations in an easy-to-understand notification report.

Caterpillar Inc. now underway in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event is North America’s leading conference on the use of natural gas to fuel high horsepower operations. As an industry leader in the design and manufacture of dual-fuel and natural gas engines, Caterpillar plans to highlight its commitment to delivering the highest customer value for energy and power systems operations, as well as rail, marine and mining applications. “We’re proud of where our natural gas heritage has brought us today and excited to lead the next wave of natural gas products and services taking shape in the industry,” said Caterpillar Vice President with responsibility for the Large Power Systems Division Tana Utley, who will present the keynote address at the Summit.

Caterpillar Motoren is a German-American success story,” were the opening words of Oswald Schöffel, CEO of the Caterpaillar Motoren GmbH, Kiel, Germany, in welcoming guests and select media to the Caterpillar Motoren Kiel facilities earlier this summer for a product presentation of the latest developments in MaK Medium Speed Engines. “The company has grown continually during the recent years and has gained with its innovative products a very good position in the market segments of the shipping industry, stationary power generation as well as in the oil and gas industry.

A range of gas engine pressure regulators, which provide control of pressure levels within the fuel train on dual fuel or natural gas engines, is new for control and instrumentation specialists CMR Group. CMR’s regulators enable high-pressure gas fuel from lines and tanks to be reduced to safe and/or usable pressures for the secure and reliable operation of high horsepower engine technology used in a wide range of harsh and challenging environments including the onshore/offshore oil and gas industry.

All operators, regardless of vessel type, size, location or function, are plagued by the same worries: “When will my next outage happen, and what is it going to cost me?”  In an effort to ease these concerns, millions of dollars are invested every year into commercial/workboat maintenance programs. But how can maintenance be maximized without blowing budgets? What’s the most thorough way to monitor equipment? How can all mechanical components be watched for possible issues and failures?

Norway-based shipping company Fjord Line’s Stavangerfjord represents a new-generation of advanced and environmentally friendly Cruise Passenger Ferry with outstanding passenger facilities in order to operate both as a day and night ferry. The vessel is built to provide passengers with pleasant experiences, even under the harsh weather conditions of the North Sea. A modern and flexible interior design provides a capacity for 1,500 passengers (1,200 passenger during winter), and a total of 306 cabins on two decks provide first class accommodation and a variety of restaurants…

Dutch-based Peters Shipyards introduces revolutionary Inland Shipping concept. Planned, developed and built by Dutch Peters Shipyards, located in Kampen, a unique inland tanker is now the world’s first river vessel driven by combustion engines consuming purely natural gas. In April, the innovative new vessel was handed over to its time charterer, Shell Netherlands, who will operate the “MTS Greenstream,” via Interstream Barging, between the Netherlands and Germany; primarily on the river Rhine.

Caterpillar Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Johan Walter Berg AB, including its core brand of Berg Propulsion, a leading manufacturer of mechanically and electrically driven propulsion systems and marine controls for ships. With the acquisition, Caterpillar will transition from selling only engines and generators to providing complete marine propulsion package systems. Headquartered in Öckerö Islands, Sweden, Berg has designed and manufactured heavy-duty marine thrusters and controllable pitch propellers since 1929.

Engine sales and service company, Resource Power Group (RPG) has appointed Michael Kriner as the company’s Houston Branch Manager. The focus of the Houston branch of the MaK and large bore engine business will be Texas and the Gulf of Mexico territories. Kriner is a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy. He was previously employed as the Houston Operations Manager for ABB Turbocharger, Inc and before that as Repair Manager for Houston Ship Repair. “Bringing Mike on board is a key step in RPG’s plan to build a strong engine service and repair presence to the Houston market. Mike has a tremendous amount of experience in the turbocharger business and a strong background in ship repair.

Resource Power Group (RPG) acquired the assets of Gen Turbo Inc., a supplier of parts and services for large bore diesel engine turbochargers in Miami, FL. Gen Turbo Inc. (GTI) is recognized in the industry for delivering to it’s customers a combination of affordable, high quality, and highly technical turbocharger services. Genato Samson and Celso Villanueva, the founders of  GTI, are considered to be experts with ABB, KBB, and Napier type turbochargers. Mr. Samson was previously employed by ABB turbocharger as a Service Engineer and an ABB turbocharger Workshop Manager. He will assume the role of RPG’s Turbocharger Workshop and Sales Manager. Mr. Villanueva was previously employed by MaK as a Service and Commissioning Engineer.

Resource Power Group (RPG) has appointed Sean Carey as the engine sales & service company’s General Manager of the MaK and large bore engine business for the southeast US and the Caribbean territories. Carey is a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy who previously was employed as a Service Sales Manager for Wartsila North America, Inc. “With Sean’s leadership, RPG will quickly become a preferred equipment and services supplier for MaK engines and other large bore diesel and natural gas engines to customers in the US and the Caribbean” said Robert Webb, President of Louisiana CAT, RPG’s parent company. RPG has appointed Juan Carlos Perez as Operations Manager for it’s Miami operations. Mr.

Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading gas solutions provider, will deliver an integrated propulsion system based on the use of LNG for two offshore support vessels for operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first time U.S. flagged offshore supply vessels will run on clean and efficient LNG, which offers operational savings and environmental benefits. Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract in October 2011 to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion equipment for two advanced offshore supply vessels owned by Harvey Gulf International Marine.

Wärtsilä and Shell Oil Company have signed a Joint Co-operation Agreement aimed at promoting and accelerating the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. The agreement was signed in August 2011 and will run for several years. Supplies of low cost, low emissions LNG fuel will be made available to Wärtsilä natural gas powered vessel operators, and other customers by Shell. The Joint Cooperation Agreement will focus first on supplies from the US Gulf Coast, and then later expand their efforts to cover a broader geographical range. Gas fuelled marine engines are seen as being a logical means for ship owners and operators to comply with increasingly stringent environmental legislation.

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems is pleased to announce starting in January 2012, the legendary Cat 3500C marine engines will enter full production meeting United States EPA Tier 3 regulations. Cat 3500C Tier 3 compliant offerings will include propulsion, auxiliary and diesel electric propulsion (DEP) engines. All Cat 3500C offerings will not require after treatment modules to meet Tier 3 regulations as a result of incorporating innovative fuel and air system modifications into the design of the engines. “We’re pleased to offer our customers impacted by the United States EPA regulations a timely, comprehensive power solution that doesn’t require after treatment or sacrifice performance,” said Bob Hallengren, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems Product and Application Manager.

Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX) announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 of $41.7 million, or $.77 per share, compared with $29.3 million, or $.54 per share, for the 2010 second quarter. The 2011 second quarter results included an estimated $.07 per share negative impact from high water and flooding issues throughout the Mississippi River System. Consolidated revenues for the 2011 second quarter were $437.3 million compared with $273.7 million reported for the 2010 second quarter. Joe Pyne, Kirby's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our second quarter results reflected continued…

Houston, Texas (April 27, 2011) – Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) (NYSE:KEX) today announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 of $32.4 million, or $.60 per share, compared with $24.7 million, or $.46 per share, for the 2010 first quarter. The 2010 first quarter net earnings included a charge for retirements and shore staff reductions of $4.1 million before taxes, or $.05 per share. Kirby’s published 2011 first quarter earnings guidance range was $.56 to $.61 per share.

Cameron Park, Ca….VARNA Products, manufacturer of industrial and marine oil and fuel oil pumps and turnkey control solutions is working with Cummins Power Generation to provide Turnkey DC Blackstart Prelube Systems for some QSK60L and QSV91L critical power generator sets. VARNA Prelube Pumps Minimize Engine Wear at Cranking and Help Ensure Generators Start. The highest engine wear rate occurs during startup. The longer the period between engine starts, the more engine damage that occurs.

Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) announced that it is expanding its High-Horsepower Technical Center and high-horsepower engine product line at its manufacturing facility in Seymour. The expansion of the center will provide the company with more opportunities for producing high-horsepower clean-diesel and natural gas engines in the future. Mark Levett, Vice President and General Manager  High-Horsepower Business, made the announcement at the plant and was joined by Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, U.S. Rep. Baron Hill and several members of local and state government representing the Seymour area. Cummins plans to invest approximately $100m in the expansion at the Seymour plant, which is expected to result in approximately 200 engineering and manufacturing jobs over the next five years.