USA: Caterpillar Marine to Provide Three Cat C32 DEP Engines for Showboat Branson Belle

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems has been selected to provide three Cat® C32 Diesel Electric Propulsion (DEP) Engines for the Showboat Branson Belle repower. Each C32 engine will provide 910 ekW at 1,800 rpm. The Showboat Branson Belle is a dinner cruise vessel, the largest of its kind to be built on a land-locked lake in the United States.

Weighing in at over 1,100 tons (2.5 million pounds), the Showboat Branson Belle measures 278 feet long, and has a passenger capacity of 700. The Cat generator set solutions for the Showboat Branson Belle are slated for delivery in early 2012. The Belle is scheduled to be back in regular service cruising Table Rock Lake in Missouri in March 2012.

“The goal of this specific project was to improve the overall sustainability of the Branson Belle’s operations using the latest engine emission technology,” said Jim Mundth, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems sales manager. “The Cat C32 ACERT™ DEP package provides the latest in emissions technology at a competitive price and is complimented by the service and support from Fabick, the local Cat dealer.”

Caterpillar’s unique ACERT technology will allow the Showboat Branson Belle to significantly reduce the NOx and PM emissions of its operations. The ACERT technology features an enhanced engine combustion process that reduces engine wear and minimizes fuel needed to support the complete electrical load of the Branson Belle, including both propulsion and general electrical needs. The C32 ACERT also features a Cat ADEM™ electronic controller which coordinates and enhances fuel delivery, air supply and other engine functions to maximize overall performance and reduce emissions output. By utilizing a diesel electric propulsion power solution, the vessel will benefit from improved fuel consumption, load optimization and fuel efficiency in addition to the reductions in emissions.

Reducing emissions is a key imperative within the Caterpillar sustainability strategy. As detailed in the 2010 Sustainability Report, Caterpillar is powering change by leveraging technology and innovation to increase efficiency and productivity with less impact on the environment and helping our customers do the same – enabling their businesses to become more productive by providing products, services and solutions that use resources more efficiently.

Fabick, a Cat dealer located in Missouri, led Caterpillar efforts on the project and will continue to provide sales and service support upon engine delivery and installation.

Marine Sales Manager Rick Morris said, “We’re proud to be involved in such a significant project for our tourism industry here in Missouri. The Branson Belle is an outstanding showboat and we’re pleased to improve the sustainable operations of the vessel in any way possible.”

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, manages the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK marine engines within Caterpillar Inc. The organization provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,000 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 7,680 kWe in marine generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, December 7, 2011; Image: marine.cat