C&C Delivers Tier 4 Mitsubishi-Powered Towboat To Canal Barge

Belle Chasse, La.-based C&C Marine and Repair has delivered the mv. Al Sloss to New Orleans-based Canal Barge Company. The Al Sloss is the first in a four-boat series C&C is building for Canal Barge.

“This project marks the first new-construction towboat we’ve ever built for Canal Barge Company, and we wanted to put our best foot forward,” said Tony Cibilich, owner of C&C Marine and Repair. “Despite the aggressive schedule, it was important to keep Canal Barge closely involved throughout the build.”

The 87-foot by 34-foot towboat was designed by C&C’s in-house engineering team and was constructed on an accelerated schedule, with construction and delivery spanning about six months. Despite the short timetable, Canal Barge officials were able to work collaboratively and closely with the C&C team to incorporate minor adjustments and design modifications to the Al Sloss.

“Having our offices located just down the road from C&C Marine’s shipyard gave us far greater access than we typically have during a new-construction project,” said Mike Stone, project manager for Canal Barge Company. “Real-time decisions were made throughout the vessel’s construction as a result of that close coordination with their team.”

Delivery of the remaining three vessels is expected to follow at two- or three-month intervals.

The 2,600 hp. mv. Al Sloss is driven by a pair of Mitsubishi S12R main engines provided by Laborde Products, which also supplied the vessel’s generator sets that are rated at 99 kw. The Tier 4 main engines are paired with Reintjes WAF 665 reduction gears from Karl Senner LLC. Eagle Control Systems furnished the boat’s steering, alarm and monitoring systems.

The mv. Al Sloss has accommodations for eight, with berths outfitted with a soft-core joiner system from Kern Martin to enhance comfort and improve fire protection. GMENI Marine Electronics and Supply provided the Al Sloss’s navigation and communications equipment, which includes Furuno radars. The vessel is also equipped with two Carlisle & Finch 1,000-watt searchlights, two Wintech 40-ton winches and a Wintech 5-ton vertical capstan.

While the Al Sloss is the first Canal Barge new build from C&C, it’s not the first Canal Barge vessel to feature Mitsubishi main engines.

“Laborde has provided engines to Canal Barge for several successful repowers, and we are excited to continue that relationship as part of our new construction program,” said Mark Allen, vice president of asset management and engineering at Canal Barge Company.

Laborde Products Vice President of Sales Jared Legendre echoed that same sentiment.

“We were excited to partner with C&C on this 2,600 hp. series and to support Canal Barge on the first vessel,” Legendre said. “Working through the construction of the Al Sloss was a hands-on process, and the planning and communication from both teams resulted in a first-class vessel.”

Cibilich said, while tariffs presented a challenge for securing some equipment and materials, the team was able work together and overcome those challenges.

“By working closely with our vendors and planning proactively, we were able to mitigate cost increases and avoid passing those additional expenses on to Canal Barge,” he said.

In addition to the four boats to be delivered to Canal Barge, C&C is building an additional six 2,600 hp. inland towboats for sale, with the first scheduled for completion in the early third quarter of this year. The shipyard also has two Multi Cat-class workboats available and nearing completion and a large cutter suction dredge, slated for delivery in the second quarter of this year. The dredge is “ideal for contractors seeking a near-term build backed by C&C’s fabrication strength and shipyard-scale execution,” the company stated in a news release.

Featured image caption: The mv. Al Sloss moored at C&C Marine and Repair in Belle Chasse, La. (Photo courtesy of C&C Marine and Repair)