Canal Barge Company, New Orleans, has completed a repower of the 75’ towing vessel Hallie M. Merrick with twin Mitsubishi S12R Tier 3 engines, part of the company’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts.
The project was completed at Sterling Shipyard with support from Laborde Products. The vessel’s original Cummins KTA38 engines were replaced with Mitsubishi S12R engines rated at 1,100 hp at 1,800 rpm.
Built in 2013, the Hallie M. Merrick operates in inland river service. Canal Barge said the repower was aimed at improving efficiency, simplifying maintenance, and bringing the vessel into compliance with Tier 3 emissions standards.
“A repower is an investment in the next decade of a vessel’s life,” said Mark Allen, vice president of asset management and engineering at Canal Barge Company. “The S12R gives us the reliability and fuel curve we want, and Laborde gives us the local support that keeps these projects moving. When a boat returns to service, we need to know it will stay working without added downtime.”
Laborde Products said the project continued a series of Mitsubishi-powered repowers completed for Canal Barge’s fleet.
“Sterling Shipyard did a solid job on this installation and our teams stayed connected from teardown to sea trial,” said Bradley Matte, Gulf Coast territory sales manager at Laborde Products. “Canal Barge Company expects their equipment to perform, and the S12R gives them the power and simplicity they want while supporting reliable day-to-day operation.”
The Hallie M. Merrick repower follows previous Canal Barge projects supported by Laborde, including Mitsubishi S16R and S12R upgrades aboard the M/V Ned Merrick and M/V Integrity. The company said the projects are intended to improve fleet efficiency and standardize equipment across vessels operating throughout the inland river system.
