Hornblower Shipyard Solicitation for NYC Ferry K-Class Tier 4 Propulsion Upgrade

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 31, Hornblower Group, operator of NYC Ferry, issued a solicitation for the propulsion upgrade of its K-class passenger ferries, seeking shipyards with vessel conversion capabilities to undertake the propulsion and cooling system modifications. The project has entered the shipyard procurement phase, with bids due by September 28 and shipyard work scheduled to begin December 2.

The conversion will remove the vessels' existing EPA Tier 3 engines and replace them with Baudouin 12M26.3 engines compliant with EPA Tier 4 emission standards, along with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. The new engines will be provided by the owner, with the shipyard responsible for equipment installation and integration with existing vessel systems.

The vessel cooling system will also be modified concurrently, converting from the existing keel cooling arrangement to a direct seawater cooling system. The scope of work includes hull openings, seawater chest modifications, and associated piping work. The existing exhaust uptakes will also need to be reconfigured to accommodate the new engines and SCR system while meeting applicable emission and exhaust backpressure requirements.

Hornblower's previously posted technical project management position for the same Tier IV vessel conversion program indicates that this phase involves five K-class passenger vessels with Tier 3 propulsion, with conversion work also encompassing design coordination for the propulsion system, exhaust and SCR systems, electrical systems, cooling piping, and urea storage and delivery systems, as well as completion of U.S. Coast Guard design reviews, construction inspections, and commissioning procedures.

The solicitation schedule shows notices of intent and confidentiality agreement submissions due by September 4, a pre-bid conference and vessel site visit on September 9, written questions due by September 11, and final proposals due by September 28. The procurement also requires the awarded shipyard to take reasonable good-faith measures to provide opportunities for qualified minority-owned and women-owned businesses to participate in the project.

The project is part of the NYC Ferry K-class Tier IV upgrade program. The New York City Economic Development Corporation previously approved up to $20.215 million in additional funding to Hornblower to advance the upgrade of up to 13 K-class ferries, each with a capacity of 350 passengers, to EPA Tier IV emission standards; these funds are from the city capital budget already allocated for the overall program, and if all 13 vessels are converted, additional funding will be required.