MARAD Awards Grant for Green Tug Conversion

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has granted $450,000 to AEP River Operations of St. Louis, Missouri, to modify the Motor Vessel (M/V) Christopher Parsonage into a fuel-efficient hybrid vessel that conserves fuel and reduces emissions.

The modification will provide the 180-foot tug boat, which operates along the lower Mississippi River, with a hybrid generator set attached to the main engine that will provide auxiliary power, which would normally be produced from the diesel generator.

MARAD will use the test results from this project to support further work related to vessel air emissions, energy conservation and efficiency. The study is expected to be completed by 2017.