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December 11, 2003

Marathon Ashland Takes Delivery of Double Hull Barges

Over the past several months, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC has taken delivery of seven double skinned tank barges. These form part of a 15 barge order with Trinity Marine Products. One of America’s largest manufacturer of inland river barges, Trinity has several locations. These barges are being manufactured at the Trinity yard in Madisonville Louisiana. With seven refineries producing a potential of 935000 barrels of product per day, the Marathon Ashland has significant transport requirements. These include marine transport for which the new barges were commissioned.

Designed to meet or exceed all environmental safety standards the barges are skinned. Each barge has a capacity of 29,950 barrels. While maintaining the same 297.5 by 54 by 12-foot dimensions as earlier single skinned barges, the new vessels also carry the same amount of petroleum product due to the raised trunk which extends four feet seven inches above the barge deck. The void spaces, 3.5-feet on the sides and 2.5-feet on the bottom, provide additional floatation so that the displacement and draft remain the same as on a traditional single skin barge.

For pump engines on the new barges, Marathon Ashland specified the radiator-cooled pump engine version of the six-cylinder 8.3-litre Cummins commercial marine auxiliary C-series engine delivering 230 HP at 1800 RPM. (see Hotips#123) This version of the engine is radiator cooled. Special packaged for barge pump application these engines have to live "outside" in a marine environment. The engine enclosures are 12 gauge, phosphatized, epoxy coated steel. The radiators have epoxy coated tanks and structural members, with solder coated cores. Mufflers are under the enclosure to shield them from the elements, and for a low profile benefit. Nylon / aluminum fans, and stainless steel air shutdowns are other items specified to reduce corrosion problems. The units are equipped with Sentinel safety engine shutdown systems, and Kil-Aire flapper valves for emergency air shutdowns.

For enhanced reliability and safety, the pump engines are supplied with the optional hydraulic starting systems, which makes them entirely self sufficient when it comes to batteries and air compressors. The system employs a small pump that fills an accumulator to 3000 psi. And, of course, there is no electricity anywhere else on the units. They also use anti-static fan drive belts for safety.

For further information, contact:

Bob Johnson
Port Engineer
Marathon Ashland LLC
P phone: 606 329 4561
E-mail: RPJohnson@mapllc.com

Ron Nokes
Vice President, Sales
Trinity Marine Products
1050 Trinity Road
Ashland City TN 37015
Phone: 615 792 8277

John Snyder
Marine Sales
3100 MacCorkle Ave. SW
South Charleston, WV 25303
Phone: (304) 744 6373
Fax: (304) 744 8605
E-mail: John.E.Snyder@Cummins.com

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