APH began working on its objective in 2016, to design an inland container vessel for domestic transportation to compete with trucking and rail. We studied and learned from the short comings of the many past attempts to move containers on the Marine Highway. APH clearly understood the “gift” we needed to exploit was the significant natural waterway system in the U.S. which unfortunately has operated in much the same way for over 70 years.
The “Challenge” was to develop the design and exceed Six Major Elements necessary for success:
Reliability – Liner Services on main river
Cost Efficiency – LNG fuel, modern terminals
Speed – unprecedented service speed and highly efficient port operations
Cargo Payload – 2500 TEU’s vs. 300 (today’s COB)
Safety and Environmentally Friendly- Marine vs truck/rail, emissions reduction
Further, APH wanted to mitigate some of the more significant public exposures and concerns with transportation safety, including:
Rail: Hazardous materials through populated areas and derailments
Trucking: Traffic accidents, high emissions, road and bridge infrastructure repair
The innovative and patented design, developed by Naviform Consulting and Research Ltd, is owned by American Patriot Holdings LLC (APH). The design includes two U.S. Patents, with additional patents pending in Europe and Asia. The first patent includes the Exoskeleton Hull Structure, which significantly reduces the lightship weight allowing for maximum container payload. The second patent includes the Minimal Wake Bow Structure which allows the vessel to transit upriver, against a 5 mph current, at speeds of 13 mph with essentially no wake. APH has entered into an Exclusive Licensing Agreement with Naviform for use and Sub-Licensing of these patents, which should have worldwide appeal.
The "LINER" vessel, planned for Mississippi River service, could range from 595 ft to 625 ft in overall length, with a beam of 134 ft. The deadweight capacity will range from 13,700 to 15,500 long tons (depending on draft - 9 to 10 ft.) and have a TEU capacity of 2375. The LINER propulsion system consists of four (4) diesel generators (2880 KW ea. or 14,800 HP) driving four (4) main azimuthing drives and two (2) bow pumps, which will eliminate the need for docking and undocking tug assist without compromising safety.
The "HYBRID" vessel, planned for the Mississippi tributary rivers, will be 595 ft. in overall length and 100 ft. in beam. The deadweight capacity will range from 10,000 to 11,500 long tons (depending on draft - 9 to 10 ft.) and have a TEU capacity of 1,700.
These vessels will revolutionize inland marine transportation by giving shippers un-paralleled cost efficiencies and reliable service. The vessels will also offer shippers a “green” solution by utilizing LNG as the main propulsion fuel. The planned vessels on the Mississippi River / Tributary river system will run between a main container terminal in the port of Plaquemines LA., between mile 50 and 55, and numerous upriver ports. Focus cargoes for import and export will include dry goods, chemicals, agricultural products, refrigerated and frozen foods.
Vessel Model Testing was completed in September ‘17 (Potsdam Germany)
All vessel design specifications were validated or exceeded
Model was 28’ long, 6’ 4” wide and weighed 2.5 tons
Propulsion drives via Voith Schnieder, secondary drive testing planned
Model tested performed in open water, model basin, and shallow water