Canal Barge Company Repowers Mv. Hallie M. Merrick

Canal Barge Company has repowered the mv. Hallie M. Merrick with Tier 3 Mitsubishi engines.

The work was completed recently at Sterling Shipyard with support from Laborde Products.

The twin Mitsubishi 312R Tier 3 engines are rated at 1,100 hp. at 1,800 rpm. They replaced the vessel’s original Cummins KTA38 as part of Canal Barge’s ongoing fleet-modernization program, according to a news release from Laborde Products.

The Hallie M. Merrick was built in 2013 and is 75 feet long. The repower improves its efficiency, simplifies maintenance and aligns the vessel with Tier 3 emissions standards while keeping it ready for demanding river service, according to Laborde Products.

Canal Barge Company stressed that performance, fuel efficiency and long-term service support were central to selecting the S12R platform.

“A repower is an investment in the next decade of a vessel’s life,” said Mark Allen, vice president of asset management and engineering at Canal Barge Company. “The S12R gives us the reliability and fuel curve we want, and Laborde gives us the local support that keeps these projects moving. When a boat returns to service, we need to know it will stay working without added downtime.”

Laborde talked through the coordination behind the project and stressed the value of using a consistent engine platform across multiple Canal Barge repowers.

“Sterling Shipyard did a solid job on this installation, and our teams stayed connected from teardown to sea trial,” said Bradley Matte, Gulf Coast Territory Sales Manager at Laborde Products. “Canal Barge Company expects their equipment to perform, and the S12R gives them the power and simplicity they want while supporting reliable day-to-day operation.”

The Hallie M. Merrick repower builds on previous Canal Barge Company projects supported by Laborde, including S16R and S12R upgrades on the mv. Ned Merrick and mv. Integrity.