Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. of Mandeville, LA exercised another additional 90’x32’x10’ “Canal Class” Inland Towboat to the six (6) vessel program currently under contract. In September 2014, Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. signed the 7th vessel and this additional towboat brings the total to sixty-two (62) vessels contracted. Three (3) of the now seven (7) towboats have been delivered to Florida Marine since February 2014. This option vessel will be constructed from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.
This series of towboats originally began with a twenty-five (25) vessel contract with on-time deliveries starting in 2006. It has expanded to become the largest single builder single Owner new construction program with the same class towboat design in United States history.
Installed in each new vessel will be Tier 3 main propulsion engines and generators. The vessel is powered by two (2) Caterpillar 3512C Tier 3 diesel engines rated at 1,500 HP at 1,600 RPM provided by Louisiana Power Systems. The reduction gears are direct coupled Twin-Disc Model MG-5600 with a 6.04:1 reduction supplied by Sewart Supply, Inc. of Harvey, Louisiana.
Electrical power is provided by two (2) 99kW John Deere 4045AFM85 99KW Tier 3 generator sets rated for 60 Hz, at 208 VAC provided by Kennedy Engine Company of Biloxi, MS. These diesel engines comply with the current EPA/MARPOL control of emissions of nitrogen oxides from marine diesel engines.
Florida Marine Transporters began in 1992 with the vision of Mr. Dennis Pasentine, FMT’s CEO to achieve excellence in the maritime industry. Together with committed shipmates and a strong work ethic, Florida Marine has developed into one of the largest United States inland marine companies, and proudly serves its customers with one of the youngest towboat and tank barge fleets in the industry shipping a variety of cargoes such as petrochemicals, chemicals, LPG, crude oil, agricultural liquids and dry cargo. Through the efforts of its experienced leadership team, and dedicated vessel and shore side employees, Florida Marine operates in a safe, environmentally sound, and efficient manner.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. continues to grow its two shipbuilding facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including tugs, barges, offshore support and construction vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and towboats for both the commercial and government marine markets.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group continues to remain a diversified shipbuilder. These new towboats will maintain Eastern Shipbuilding’s role as one of the largest manufacturers of Inland Towboats in the United States.