Crowley’s ConRo ship outfitted with advanced bridge

AUGUST 22, 2018 – One of the most technologically advanced ships, Crowley Maritime’s LNG-fueled, 2,400-TEU ConRo vessel El Coquí, recently entered service in the Jones Act trade between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, following delivery from VT Halter Marine, Pascagoula, MS.

The ship’s advanced technology is evident from its bridge. Mackay Marine, Raleigh, NC, collaborated with the shipyard and owner in the design, supply, and installation of advanced integrated bridge systems (IBS), complete with consoles, and ancillary electronic systems onboard El Coquí and sister ship Taíno, which is nearing delivery.

Mackay Marine’s Project Integration team, in concert with Crowley and VT Halter Marine’s naval architects and engineers, developed an efficient, state-of-the-art bridge suite, specifying the comprehensive communication and navigation electronic equipment package necessary to integrate into 13 system consoles.

From the onset, console units were purposefully designed by Mackay, utilizing CAD systems (Computer Aided Design), to meet Crowley’s specifications and DNV’s NAUT-OC standards. The integrated system was fully outfitted and pre-wired by Mackay’s Project Department from Houston, TX.

Additional electronics provided by Mackay Marine, include: the Public Announcement, CCTV for security and asset tracking, IP Telephone (IPTV) Systems, Sound Powered Phones, LAN (local-area-network), and a UHF Radio System.

The El Coquí’s sister ship, Taíno, was launched at VT Halter’s Pascagoula, Mississippi, shipyard, in December 2017, and is currently undergoing final construction and testing in preparation for entering into service later in 2018. This new generation of combination-cargo transport vessels accommodates 2,400 twenty-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) plus a varied portfolio of 400 cars and large vehicles loaded in dedicated weather-tight Ro/Ro decks unique to the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade.

Combining greater transport capacity with fuel efficiency and streamlined integrated bridge electronics will enhance productive and safe transit, saving owners and customers time and money. Mackay Marine looks forward to contributing to future collective projects providing instrumental project management, electronics systems expertise and console integration.