The US Navy has chosen the Fairbanks Morse MAN 12V48/60CR engine as main propulsion for the U.S. Navy’s new John Lewis-class of tankers, the engine manufacturer announced.
Often referred to as oilers, the navy’s aging fleet of 15 tankers will be replaced by 17 new ones that will transfer fuel from coastal ports to naval vessels at sea.
The oilers will have the capacity to carry 156,000 barrels of oil, including the Navy’s new bio fuels. The oilers also offer a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and will be capable of reaching a speed of 20 knots.
Lex Nijsen, head of four-stroke marine, MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “The U.S. Navy knows our 48/60 engine very well, especially our L48/60A variant, and this played a key role in Fairbanks Morse winning this contract. The 48/60CR is the next generation of this proven engine with a further optimised performance featuring improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and increased reliability.”
The engines will be built by American partner and licensee, Fairbanks Morse which is set to deliver the engine for the first tanker in 2020.
Each of the current TAO vessels has two Fairbanks Morse Colt-Pielstick (MAN Diesel & Turbo) 10-cylinder PC4.2 engines as main propulsion. The ships will be phased out at the rate of one per year.