Fairbanks Morse Will License Build 12V48/60CR Engines
The US Navy’s next generation fleet oiler, known as the TAO-205 JOHN LEWIS-class , also as T-AOX, will have the MAN Diesel and Turbo 12V48/60CR engine for its main propulsion, the company announced recently.
The selection will involve Fairbanks Morse, MAN’s license partner, building at least 34 of the engines for 17 JOHN LEWIS-class vessels. The USN seeks a total of 20 vessels to replace the aging fleet of 15 oilers and last year placed an order for the first six with General Dynamics National Steel & Shipbuilding Company. The first tanker is scheduled for delivery inn 2020.
In studying the replacement of the existing tankers, DoD conducted detailed design studies with specific shipyards capable of building the new tanker class. The FM-MAN 48/60CR engine was chosen on the basis of the programme goals of energy efficiency, equipment reliability and cargo-handling efficiency.
Lex Nijsen – Head of Four-Stroke Marine – MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “The US 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 optimized performance featuring improved fuel-efficiency, reduced emissions and increased reliability. This new order comes just two months after the US Coast Guard selected multiple FM-MAN 28/33D STC engines for its Offshore Patrol Cutter Programme.”
