Page 62: of Marine News Magazine (November 2015)

61 63

PROPULSION

Image credit: Sunny Daze Artistry, LLC.

Marad Propels

Marine Engine Technology Development

The U.S. Maritime Administration has provided almost $3 million to keep marine environmental efforts on track even as ? nancial advantages of doing so diminish in a changing energy equation.

By Joseph Keefe hrough October of this year, the U.S. Depart- volves Tote Maritime, who will, with Marad’s help, repower ment of Transportation’s Maritime Administration the MidNight Sun to LNG propulsion. All of these efforts, (MARAD) has provided millions of dollars to sup- say Marad, will aid the United States maritime industry’s on-

T port the development of not one but three new emission- going effort to decrease its environmental footprint.

reducing maritime solutions for industry. As proof of the industry’s appetite and enthusiasm for the program, a com- More than Advocacy: Real Support petitive bid arraignment advertised in April and then again Through a cooperative agreement, MARAD provided in June, yielded Marad a total of 20 applications for the $730,000 to Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) to combined, three project funding allocation. The only sad convert a towboat engine from diesel to LNG. Results from part was that all 20 simply could not be accommodated. this demonstration project will help expand the develop-

The ? rst, a cutting-edge lique? ed natural gas (LNG) con- ment and availability of natural gas conversion technology version demonstration project for inland waters, was followed for smaller scale tug, tow, and harbor vessels. PRCC will by a cooperative agreement that will allow an on-board air collect air emissions data before and after the conversion, pollution control device. Another cooperative agreement in- which will allow for operational and emissions compari-

November 2015

MN 62

MN Nov15 Layout 50-65.indd 62 10/23/2015 2:22:48 PM