Cross Sound Ferry’s M.V. JOHN H. First to be Re-Powered with GE’s Inline L250 Engine
ERIE, Pa.--GE Marine, a unit of GE Transportation, announced today that it has successfully installed two Inline L250 engines on Cross Sound Ferry’s M.V. JOHN H., making the vessel EPA Tier II compliant while increasing power and, simultaneously, reducing fuel consumption by up to 15 percent.
The M.V. JOHN H. operates on a vehicle and passenger ferry route between Orient Point, Long Island, New York and New London, CT for Cross Sound Ferry, with more than 1.3 million passengers per year depending on its service, which provides an alternative to driving on the busy I-95 and I-495 (Long Island Expressway) corridors.
The installation comes as ship operators around the country are being encouraged by local, state and federal authorities to re-power their vessels for a reduction in port emissions through various programs.
“Unlike other marine engines in the marketplace, the L250 Engine is Tier II compliant today while being upgradeable to Tier III emissions standards,” said John Manison, Business Leader, GE Marine. “This will give Cross Sound Ferry and other workboat customers the hauling power they need with the ability to remain compliant long-term.”
Added Manison: “Because of GE’s technological advances in the marine engine market, ship operators will have the dual advantage of increasing power while gaining fuel efficiency. The L250 engines will replace two Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) 645 engines.”
“We’re proud to continue to offer a safe and reliable service to the traveling public of the Northeast while providing a significant benefit to air quality on both Long Island and in New England,” said John P. Wronowski, Owner and President of Cross Sound Ferry. “GE has provided us with a way to meet and even exceed EPA standards for the foreseeable future while increasing power and reducing fuel consumption.”
Introduced in September 2008 and recently certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the L250 engine is US EPA Tier II certified and offers an average fuel savings of nine percent at those emissions levels when compared to the previous generation of marine engines.
A multimillion-dollar investment, GE’s L250 engine has been tested at GE Transportation’s headquarter facility in Erie, Penn. The engines are produced at the Company’s state-of-the-art diesel engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, Penn.
About Cross Sound Ferry
Cross Sound Ferry Services provides, daily, year-round vehicle, passenger and high-speed passenger service between New London, CT and Orient Point, Long Island, NY on a 16.5 mile route that can save up to 200 miles of driving. The ferry route also serves commercial trucks and provides a critical link in the transportation network of the Northeast. The Cross Sound fleet consists of seven vehicle and passenger vessels and one high-speed passenger-only ferry. One of the busiest vehicular ferry systems on the eastern seaboard, Cross Sound Ferry has up to 58 arrivals and departures daily during the peak summer travel season.
About GE Marine
GE offers its new L250 inline engine, as well as its V250 and V228 engine series -- reliable, fuel-efficient medium-speed diesels (compared to other engines of similar horsepower). The engines range in power from 1498 kilowatts/2009 brake horsepower to 4239 kW/5685 hp. All GE engines are United States Environmental Protection Agency Tier II emissions certified. All engines in the GE family feature a high-capacity turbocharger, efficient combustion system and an EFI system. These engines can be integrated into marine and stationary systems to meet strict emissions levels. For more information, visit www.getransportation.com.
About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company , is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives, railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, PA, and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.