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“And I think you’re seeing that on the inland waterway market with some of the big companies that can absorb a fi rst vessel project like this to test the technology. These big companies build one or two boats and get them in revenue service and compare them apples to apples. The smaller companies really watch for the results.” In the case of Southern Towing, the company reported a nearly 30% savings in fuel costs. van der Vegt adds, “When you look at the fuel savings, it’s always diffi cult to give exact numbers because it is so dependent on how you are using the equipment. The sav- ings is highly dependent on the vessel, route and operator, but I think that at least a 20% fuel savings for this type of push boat application is a safe number to mention.”

Separately, American Commercial Lines (ACL) has also been a leader on the inland waterways incorporating Z-

Drives, starting earlier this year when it took delivery of

The American Way in February 2014. “Two boats have been received (American Way and American Spirit), two are under construction and four are on order,” said an ACL company spokesperson. “All eight boats are 2,000 HP with

ZF 5,000 units. “

In making the decision to add Z-Drive boats to the ACL fl eet, the company cited improved performance, reduced op- erating costs, replacement of older boats and the addition of boats for business growth as the primary factors. At the same time, the company weighed the drawbacks, which it says in- cludes the initial cost for spare parts, limited service coverage due to the technology being new, and additional training needs. While the jury is still out on the long-term cost ben- efi ts of the Z-Drive boats, early results are promising. “Analysis shows a ~20% improvement in fuel burn or performance when ran hard,” said an ACL company spokesperson. “It remains unclear whether Z-drive boats are more cost effi cient than conventional drive boats with regard to maintaining the Z drive unit vs. shafts, gearbox, wheels and rudders. Time will tell.”

Opportunities Abound

The ZF product line includes azimuth thrusters (360° steerable thrusters), Tunnel Thrusters, Shallow Draft

Thrusters, and Thruster Control Systems. Units can be sup- plied with electric-, diesel- or hydraulic drive systems. The steering controls are advanced and interfaced with GPS and

Dynamic Positioning systems. And, while the U.S. inland towboat market is large and promising, it certainly is not the only market in play for this propulsion technology.

Elsewhere, there are many emerging markets with mam- moth river systems, namely South America and the Ama- zon River system, that present good opportunity as well. “We see the demand increasing for deck mounted units

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