Page 30: of Marine News Magazine (May 2025)

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Feature

Towboats & Tugboats

Speci? cally, she mentioned a program, now in its second Gerard McAllister, is under construction at the same yard. year, of renewable diesel trials in 12 vessels spread around Both have the “Low Emissions” designation from ABS. ? ve ports. Though renewable diesel is a “drop in” fuel with Looking at the bigger picture for alternative fuels, Moran’s no engine modi? cation required, McCarthy pointed to the McCarthy, spoke about fuel availability at CMA: “It’s a little importance of training the crew in handling a new fuel. bit of a turning point right now,” explaining that the fueling

The third tenet is the “collaboration” piece, includ- trials also gave Moran ? rst hand experiences in dealing with ing a leadership role in the Blue Sky Maritime Coali- fuel supply issues impacted by both Federal incentives and tion, an organization working towards the transition to standards”, as well as state rules “which really drew a lot of net zero emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) among demand to California.” Speaking of drop-in fuels, she said:

North American maritime operators. She described the “Our hope is that it continues to be available.” company as building for the future, but said that: “…we still want to increase the operational ef? ciencies of older Is ’Being Green’ Waning?

assets that we have.” Moran has four newbuilds on order, At end March, after all the Q4 2024 earnings reports for including a series of Robert Allan designed Rapport 2800 listed companies (Moran and McAllister are both privately series boats under construction at Master Boat Builders, held) had been issued, news service Bloomberg reported vessels designed and built to meet EPA Tier 4 require- that: “In boardrooms across America, mentions of sustain- ments and holding ABS certi? cations for Low Emission ability and related terms on earnings calls have dropped (LEV) and for Escort operations. steeply as public companies see less to gain from associat-

Competitor McAllister Towing, based in downtown ing themselves with environmental goals.”

New York, has also been investing in sustainability; Janu- This comports with the “sighs of relief” for maritime ary, 2025 saw the launch of its tractor tug Isabel McAllister transport providers (and other linkages in the supply from the Washburn & Doughty yard in Maine. This 6,770- chains of big industrial cargo shippers listed on U.S. stock hp towboat features twin EPA Tier 4 compliant Caterpillar exchanges), which came a year earlier when the Securities 3516E engines, with Z-Drives from Schottel; a similar tug, and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its Final Rule

McAllister Transportation 30 | MN May 2025