Caterpillar Marine supplies engines for the most powerful Tier 4 tug on the Mississippi River
Luling, Louisiana based Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. announced the delivery of their first EPA Tier 4 Final and Subchapter M azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug. At 6,008 bhp, Andrew S. is the most powerful Tier 4 tug on the Mississippi River. The tug is powered with two Cat® 3516E Tier 4 main engines supplied by Caterpillar Marine, each generating 3,004 bhp at 1,800 rpm and a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system, Caterpillar said in a press release.
To become both EPA Tier 4 Final and Subchapter M compliant, and meet their increased power requirements, Bisso’s team strategically worked with several companies. Caterpillar Marine Territory Sales Manager, Charlson Smith, collaborated with Bisso to select the engine package for the Andrew S. “Our 3500 series engine is compact and reliable. Five of Bisso’s tractor tugs have 3516s in them already,” said Smith.
The Andrew S. measures 100’ x 38’ x 13.5’ and has an estimated bollard pull of 84 tons. Additional features of the tug include U.S. Coast Guard-approved engine room monitoring and fire/alarm systems, a fixed CO2 fire extinguishing system, and both the engine room and crew quarters have soundproof insulation.
Bisso’s new tug is also equipped with a Cat SCR system. “Caterpillar developed the SCR system we use in the new 3500E series. Cat SCRs have stood the test of time and durability in off-road vehicles, highway trucks, and heavy equipment. The system utilizes diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), a urea-based fluid that is mixed with the engine’s exhaust, causing a chemical reaction that significantly reduces NOx in the exhaust. At the same time, the new Cat 3500E series engines maximize performance while increasing fuel efficiency. When the Bisso team saw how the engine performs, they were impressed,” said Smith
Main Iron Works Inc., located in Houma, Louisiana, constructed the tug. With the Andrew S., Bisso now has a total of thirteen tugs a part of their fleet, eight of which are ASD tractor tugs, making the company the largest fleet owner of ASD tractor tugs on the Mississippi River.
Bisso plans to christen the Andrew S. on the Mississippi River on December 5th during the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, that day, the tug will be available for attendees to visit.
About Caterpillar Marine:
Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat® and MaK marine diesel, dual fuel and gas power and propulsion systems within Caterpillar Inc. The organization provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,800 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 16,100 kWe in marine generator sets as well as a comprehensive portfolio of propulsion solutions. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.
About Caterpillar
For more than 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2018 sales and revenues of $54.722 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three primary segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment.
