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The US Navy has chosen the Fairbanks Morse MAN 12V48/60CR engine as main propulsion for a new series of replenishment oiler ships, the John Lewis class, as it begins plans to phase out its existing tanker fleet.

Planned to total 17 ships, the new John Lewis class (previously known as TAO - X) is set to significantly increase the US Navy's capability to transfer fuel to its surface ships in operations around the globe. Each vessel will have the capacity to carry 156,000 barrels of fuel oil.

Delivery of the first new tanker is set for 2020.

Lex Nijsen, Head of Four-Stroke Marine at MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: "The U.S. 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 optimised performance featuring improved fuel-efficiency, reduced emissions and increased reliability."

In studying the replacement of the existing tankers, the U.S. Defense Department carried out 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 set programme goals of energy efficiency, equipment reliability and cargo-handling efficiency.

Nijsen added: "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. The Navy and Governmental segment is very important to us, and none more so than that of the United States."

Each of the current TAO vessels has two Fairbanks Morse Colt-Pielstick (MAN Diesel & Turbo) 10-cylinder PC4.2 engines as main propulsion. The oldest ship will reach its design lifetime of 35 years in 2021 and is accordingly scheduled for replacement. The ships are due to be phased out at the rate of one per year.

Longstanding business collaboration

MAN Diesel & Turbo engines built by Fairbanks Morse, and the FM-MAN L48/60A in particular, have a solid history of use by the U.S. Navy, mainly aboard cargo ships. So far, Fairbanks Morse has delivered 72 units to the Navy.