Eastern Shipbuilding launches final fourth towboat for IWL River

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the IMPALA CANTAGALLO (HULL #246) on December 14, 2016. This is the final vessel in a series of four (4) Inland River Towboats for IWL River, Inc. This series of CT Marine designed 134 ft. ABS Classed Inland River Service towboats are Triple Screw with a retractable pilothouse, and all are currently under construction at Eastern’s Allanton facility. The vessel deliveries are scheduled to start in late 2016 and continue into 2017, the Group said in a press release.

The launch was hosted by Eastern's Project Manager Joe Stark. Also in attendance was IWL River, Inc.'s Owner's Representative, Ed Maxwell of Dufour, Laskey & Strouse, Inc. Both Mr. Stark and Mr. Maxwell praised the hard work and dedication of the employees.  The IMPALA CANTAGALLO was blessed by Deacon Tim Warner, of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Panama City, and christened by Ms. Peggy Owens a 10 plus year employee of Eastern’s purchasing department.

The Inland River Triple Screw Retractable Towboat series features the following characteristics:
Length - 134 feet; Breadth - 42 feet; Depth - 9 feet; Diesel Main Engines: (3) Caterpillar 3512C, IMO II, 1,280, Horsepower @ 1,600 RPM. Reverse Reduction Gears:    (3) Reintjes, WAF665. Diesel Generators: (2) John Deere 6090AFM85 “Gulf Pack” 200 kW, IMO II, 220-volt, 3-phase. Flag: Republic of Colombia.

CT Marine has designed several hundred vessels of varying types since opening its doors in 1978, they have focused primarily on towboats and shallow draft vessels for the last twenty years. It is with this focus that they can assure our clients the most modern Towboat attainable. CT Marine is a full service International firm that incorporates the latest internal & external technologies to further ship design.

IWL River, Inc. is one of Eastern’s newest clients.  These towboats will service the inland waterways of Latin America for Impala Terminals. Impala owns and operates a network of terminals that facilitate global trade flows, specializing in warehousing, multi-modal logistics and related port services for essential commodities worldwide. Impala Terminals connects its customers to the global commodities market.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has over the years constructed and delivered over seventy-five (75) inland towboats of similar size and complexity for several customers in the United States.  This series of towboats expands Eastern’s commitment to the inland maritime industry abroad and continues its long history of being a successful diversified US Shipbuilder. Looking forward, Eastern will continue to grow its facilities along with its strong workforce of men and women who are always eager for the next new construction, conversion or repair challenge.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two new construction and repair facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building new, converting and repairing vessels in steel and aluminum of all types including offshore and harbor tugs, offshore/platform supply vessels, multi-purpose construction vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and inland towboats.  Eastern Shipbuilding is committed to providing a safe, clean workplace for its 1,400 employees, vendors, subcontractors and clients.  Eastern’s maintains its role as one of the most diverse and active new construction shipyard’s in the United States.