Van Isle ATB Placed Into Service Rotation

Van Isle Barge Services, Ltd. (VIBS) announces that its Van Isle Link and Sealink Pusher articulated tug-barge combination (ATB) has been placed into service rotation after successfully completing sea trials off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia. This commercial drop trailer ATB is powered by two fuel efficient, V228 medium-speed diesel engines provided by GE Marine, Erie, Pa.

Similar to others in VIBS’ fleet, the Van Isle Link/Sealink Pusher ATB provides cargo services between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. In fact, with the addition of this new ATB, VIBS provides 60% of Vancouver Island’s groceries. The short-sea shipping concept that uses commercial drop trailer barges allows VIBS’ ATB fleet to act as roll-on and roll-off vessels to carry semi-trailers, automobiles, off-road industrial equipment and other self-propelled vehicles. VIBS’ drop-trailer transport services offer a safe, secure shipping alternative, saving approximately 50% over traditional driver accompanied ferry transport by eliminating the cost of tractor and driver during the ferry waiting/sailing process.

VIBS’ ATBs operate between the Vancouver inland port of Fraser Surrey with Vancouver Island’s Duke Point port in Nanaimo. Van Isle Link is powered by an 8-cylinder V228 diesel engine rated at 1,750 horsepower (hp) at 900 rpm. Sealink Pusher uses GE’s 12-cylinder V228 diesel, rated at 2,500 hp at 1,050 rpm. Both engines were built at GE’s Grove City, Pa. manufacturing facility.