WATCH: LNG-Powered Engine Placed On Crowley ConRo

An illustration of Crowley’s Commitment-class vessels. Image credit: Crowley Maritime Corp.

VT Halter Marine has set the main engine onto the first of two LNG-powered combination container and Roll/On-Roll/Off cargo ships being built for Crowley Maritime for use in the Jones Act trade.

Crowley says the setting of the engine marks a critical milestone in the construction of the Commitment-class vessels, named El Coquí (pronounced ko-kee) and Taíno (tahy-noh). Each of the ships will be equipped with a single low-speed, dual-fueled MAN Turbo & Diesel ME-GI Main Engine, capable of operating interchangeably on LNG or marine diesel fuel.

“This state-of-the-art engine technology will add efficiency while continuing to reduce impacts on the environment, one of Crowley’s top priorities,” said John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico services.

The engine was placed on the into the El Coquí using a series of heavy lifts by 500-ton cranes in the shipyard of VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where the two vessels are under construction. The engine has a total weight of 759 metric tons and measures 41 feet high, 41 feet in length, and 14.7 feet wide.

The ships are designed to travel at speeds up to 22 knots and carry containers ranging in size from 20-foot standard to 53-foot-long, 102-inch-wide containers. Cargo capacity will be approximately 2,400 TEUs (20-foot-equivalent-units), with additional space for nearly 400 vehicles in an enclosed Ro/Ro garage.

El Coquí and Taíno are due for delivery in the second and fourth quarter 2017, respectively.

Commitment Class Specifications

Names: El Coquí and Taíno
Flag Registry: United States (U.S.)
Classification Society: Det Norske Veritas (DNV)

Class Notations: X 1A1 General Cargo Carrier, CONTAINER, RO/RO, NAUTICUS
(Newbuilding), GAS FUELED, DG-P, BIS, TMON, BWM-T, E0, NAUT-OC, CLEAN

Type: Container-Ro/Ro (ConRo)

Overall Dimensions:
– Length: 219.5m
– Breadth: 32.2m
– Depth: 18.0m

Capacity:
– 26,500 DWT
– 2,400 TEUs
– Nearly 400 vehicles
– 300 reefer plugs

Speed: 22 Knots
Builder: VT Halter Marine
Fuel: Though primarily fueled by LNG, the C Class can also operate on traditional ultra-low
sulphur diesel oil.