Memphis-based Southern Towing is planning to equip its six inland waterway towboats with 12 MTU Series 4000 Ironmen engines.
Southern Towing will outfit two of its existing 120ft Z-drive push boats, Capt. Tommy Parrish and Capt. H.R. Kirtley, with twin MTU 12V 4000 M53 engines that can produce 1,851bhp at 1,800rpm.
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In addition, the company is working on two repower projects, which will utilise the MTU 12V 4000 M53 engines for increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The company’s two new 100ft Z-drive sister towboats powered with MTU’s Series 4000 engines, Paula Fortier and Theresa Echols, are set to enter service.
Southern Towing chief engineer Tommy McCoin said: “Southern Towing’s investment in the Series 4000 represents our belief that the competitive edge in the inland waterways transportation business belongs to companies that move beyond the legacy engines of the past to the higher-powered, more fuel-efficient engines of the future.”
MTU’s regional distributor Stewart and Stevenson has supplied the engines to Southern Towing.
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By GlobalDataMTU America commercial marine sales manager Ryan Szubinski said: “The Series 4000 engine offers Southern Towing’s fleet superior fuel economy, emissions regulation compliance and industry-leading reliability.
“We constantly strive to adapt to ever-changing customer needs and federal standards while providing the best solutions for the shifting inland waterway transportation industry.”
Image: Southern Towing’s towboat Capt. H.R. Kirtley, powered by twin MTU 12V 4000 M53 engines. Photo: courtesy of Business Wire.
