Interlake upgrades its steamship with diesel propulsion system

Interlake Steamship is set to upgrade its steamship SS Herbert C Jackson with a highly automated diesel propulsion system.

Interlake is repowering the vessel as part of a $100m, ten-year modernisation programme aimed to create an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly fleet on North America’s Great Lakes.

Interlake president Mark W Barker said: "This repowering illustrates Interlake’s continuing commitment to shrink its environmental footprint by reducing emissions throughout our fleet.

"We have a long-term vision for our industry and we are investing in our equipment and our ships to offer the most reliable, efficient delivery within an industry that is the greenest form of transportation available."

This six-month diesel conversion also marks the fifth major refurbishment to Interlake’s fleet and the fourth steam-to-diesel conversion since 2006.

Work on the vessel is expected to start in mid-December.

The new 6,250BHP propulsion package consists of a pair of MaK six-cylinder M32E engines, to offer better propulsion capabilities and reliability.

With this upgrade, Jackson will receive a twin-input, single-output Lufkin gearbox with twin shaft generators, a Schottel controllable-pitch propeller system and Gesab exhaust gas economisers, along with an auxiliary boiler.

According to Interlake, the company reduced its particulate matter by 30%, sulphur oxides by 54% and carbon dioxide by 47%, last year.

The firm also installed exhaust gas scrubbers on the bulk carrier M/V Hon James L Oberstar, to become the first US-flag fleet to use the emission reduction technology on the Great Lakes.