Best Vessels: Distinctive deliveries of 2021
Written by Nick Blenkey
SSG Michael H. Ollis (Credit: Eastern Shipbuilding Group)
Cherokee: First of two new rail ferries built for U.S-Mexico route
Constructed by China’s CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company for Jacksonville, Fla.-headquartered CG Railway (CGR), Cherokee is the first of two 590-foot rail ferries built to replace two 1962-built predecessors. Those ships have transported over 200,000 railcars in more than 1,400 sailings on CGR’s route between Mobile, Ala., and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, since 2001.
CGR is part of a joint venture between subsidiaries of SEACOR Holdings and Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and operates a U.S. Class III freight railroad transporting approximately 10,000 annual carloads of diversified commodities across the Gulf of Mexico.
The new ferries are designed to carry 135 railcars each, up from 115 railcars on the existing ferries, with an expected top speed of 14 knots, up from seven knots. With their additional capacity, and faster speed enabling more sailings per month, the new vessels increase CGR’s potential annual carload capacity by 40%.
“These innovative new vessels are purpose-built to provide increased reliability, speed and fuel efficiency and will materially expand the number of annual railcar spaces we can offer customers,” says CGR President Hoffman Lijeron. “Their capacity, efficient hull design, articulated rudders and modern, slow-speed engines will significantly reduce the vessels’ environmental footprint. In fact, compared with a traditional all-rail route from Mobile to Mexico City, shipping via the new CGR vessels and Ferromex is expected to provide a 44% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton/mile versus the all-rail route.”
The new ships are likely among the first built with features designed to cope with a pandemic, including segregated passageways for pilots and other visitors, as well as spaces with separate HVAC systems to quarantine crew.
“We’re trying to anticipate all the potential scenarios we could have in the next 20 to 30 years,” Lijeron explains. “If there is anything we’ve learned from the past year, it’s the value of protecting our customers’ supply chains from potential disruptions.
Apollo: 78-foot tugboat delivers 94 tons of bollard pull
Crowley Maritime Corporation’s ship assist and harbor escort services group this year took delivery of Apollo, a powerful and maneuverable 78- by 44-foot tugboat delivering an estimated 94 tons of bollard pull and operating on biofuel. Equipped with a Markey DEPC-52 bow winch, the vessel is the second of two chartered in by Crowley from Brusco Tug & Barge and built by shipbuilder Diversified Marine Inc. in Portland, Ore. It is serving the San Francisco Bay along with sister vessel Hercules.
The tugs were designed by Robert Allan Ltd. to be the most powerful tugs in the U.S. under 80 feet long. That power is provided by a pair of Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines developing 6,302 HP and driving MTA 628 Z-drives. The engines meet federal mandates and California’s environmental regulations.
“With all the congestion in the ports of California, performance is a No. 1 concern for customers,” said Crowley Vice President Paul Manzi. “Crowley’s newest tug will continue to make harbor escort and ship assist efficient for ship operators while meeting and exceeding current demands for sustainability. Maneuverability improves safety and allows for more efficient service.”
“With Apollo, we have a rare mix of high performance with an efficient design with lower carbon footprint. It’s leading the way in California and showing the industry what’s possible in light of the sustainability push that’s taking place,” he added.
Apollo may not hold its “most powerful” title much longer, however. Crowley has agreed to charter in a third vessel in the series. Set for completion by Diversified by the end of 2021, that tug, the Athena, will feature almost 400 more horsepower than Apollo to deliver a bollard pull up to 96 tons.
Atlantic Endeavor: First Jones-Act compliant Chartwell 24 CTV
Delivered earlier this year by Blount Boats, Warren, R.I., to Quonsett Point, R.I.-based Atlantic Wind Transfers, Atlantic Endeavor is the first offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV) built to the Jones Act compliant version of the popular Chartwell 24 design.
USCG Certified to Sub-Chapter L, Offshore Service Vessel (OSV), the vessel’s construction was overseen by Southampton, U.K.-based designer Chartwell Marine, despite COVID-19 travel restrictions, using data-driven analytics to foster an open and collaborative process with the owner and the shipyard.
“This is our second CTV entering into service and Chartwell Marine has been a responsive partner throughout the design and build process, adapting its proven vessel formula to ensure we continue to provide the highest levels of service for our current and future clients,” said Charles Donadio, CEO of Atlantic Wind Transfers. “The Chartwell 24 has set the benchmark for effective vessel performance in the U.S., and we look forward to continue working with Chartwell on improvements to future designs as the U.S. East Coast offshore wind farms build out.”
The vessel has been working in support of Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind pilot wind farm.
Atlantic Wind Transfers opted to equip the vessel with advanced surveying equipment to prepare for future operations in the region, supporting wind farm owners and operators as additional generation capacity comes online.
“Safety and reliability are top priorities for Dominion Energy, and Atlantic Wind Transfers has a proven track record in the U.S. of delivering on these priorities,” said Joshua Bennett, vice president of offshore wind, Dominion Energy. “As the owner and operator of the first offshore wind farm in U.S. federal waters, we take our responsibility to meet and exceed established global standards in crew transfer operations very seriously.”
Categories: Ferries, Passenger, Shipyard News, Shipyards
