GE powers new inland waters chemical tanker

Although the US-based General Electric Transportation Systems (GE) has for many years supplied diesel engines for the US inland waterway market, it has only recently received its first order to power an inland vessel in Europe. The order was placed by the Dutch company Rensen Shipbuilding for the supply of a GE V8 propulsion engine to power a new chemical tanker being built for Friendship Tankvaart of the Netherlands.

Controller

The newbuilding, which was ordered at a cost of US$5.8 million, will be built at the Orsova Shipyard in Romania and is to be powered by a medium speed GE V8 EFI high compression diesel engine with an operating speed of 1000 rpm and an output of 1,345 kW.

The GE diesel units utilise the newly developed Powerstar TM controller, which is available with multiple customised protection options. The Powerstar controller houses the electronic governor unit, speed reference and load core, and protects the engine against overload, low oil and water pressure and positive crank pressure.

More vessels

The 3,800 cbm3 double hull chemical tanker, due to be commissioned later this year, measures 110 metres long, 11.40 meters breadth and has a draught of 5.60 metres. Progress Shipping, the parent company of Friendship Tankvaart, has indicated its intention to place an order for an additional four vessels. The daily management of these ships will be subcontracted to KB-RCD and Transafe.

The Rensen Group, which specialises in building vessels for inland waters, has delivered over 200 new ships in the past 20 years and has developed the concept of building hulls abroad.

This has proven to be very successful, and most of its yards are in Romania, including Orsova Shipyard. Rensen also represent shipyards in Russia, Poland, Czech Republic and China