Diesel and LNG boats selected for 2015 Boat of the Year

Diesel continues to be the power source for the top work boats according to WorkBoat Magazine's "10 Significant Boats of 2015" announced at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans. The Harvey Energy and Harvey Power, dual-fuelled offshore service vessels, which operate on both diesel and LNG fuel, were selected as the 2015 Boats of the Year.

"Moving cargo and people through sea and river ports requires reliable power sources and dependable engines," said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum. "Because of these requirements, diesel fuel and engines continue to be the predominate power source for ships and work boats that provide the best combination of reliability, durability, power and performance.

"Diesel's fuel efficiency, power, high-performance and reliability in marine vessels are also matched by diesel's overwhelming dominance in the heavy duty truck sector where more than 95% of all trucks are diesel powered.

"The Top 10 list developed by the editors at WorkBoat Magazine also reflects the new technology for marine vessels due to Tier 4 environmental regulations, which will significantly reduce emissions from the vessels. Cleaner diesel fuel, biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels will all play a major role in improving air quality along with dual-fuel capability using fuel sources like LNG to power vessels."

Most work boats require multiple engines, including main propulsion engines often exceeding 1000 hp as well as multiple smaller diesel engines to power ship service and hotelling needs. Leading manufacturers of marine diesel engines used in the Top 10 workboats include Caterpillar, Cummins, Deere, Rolls Royce, Wartsila, Scania, EMD, Wesmar and Thrustmaster of Texas.

Schaeffer said the US economy increasingly depends on international trade with 360 commercial sea and river ports in the US moving more than two billion tpy of import and export cargo and 17 million cruise passengers. The diesel-powered vessels and workboats help deliver products to store shelves, ensure inputs reach factory floors and fulfil overseas orders.

Schaeffer said that engines that meet the new Tier 4 emissions standards found in marine vessels will dramatically reduce emissions from vessels transiting US waterways. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency: "In May 2004, as part of the Nonroad Diesel Tier 4 Rule, EPA finalised new requirements that decrease the allowable levels of sulfur in marine diesel fuel by 99%. These fuel improvements, which began to take effect in 2007, are creating significant environmental and public health benefits by reducing PM from new and existing engines.

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/25012016/dual-fuelled-lng-biodiesel-boats-of-the-year-2015-international-boat-show-2246/