Caterpillar Marine Engine Repowers

Modern Power for Proven Hulls. Engineered for Uptime.

A repower is more than an engine swap. It is a complex integration project requiring mechanical, electrical, and structural expertise. Thompson Marine specializes in repowering workboats and commercial vessels with the latest Caterpillar engines, re-engineering complete power solutions that fit your vessel, your schedule, and your operational demands. Our goal is to deliver modern performance and reliability with minimal disruption to your fleet.

caterpillar marine engine repowers

Why Choose Thompson Marine for Your Repower?

Repowering a vessel requires a deep understanding of how to integrate new systems within the constraints of an existing hull. Our process is built on decades of hands-on, industry experience ensuring your new CAT engine works seamlessly with your vessel’s existing equipment.

Holistic System Re-Engineering

We look beyond the engine to address the entire power system. Our scope includes the re-engineering of mechanical and electrical systems to ensure flawless integration with existing gears, pumps, controls, and monitoring equipment.

Custom Integration and Fabrication

Our team designs and fabricates custom packages in-house to overcome installation challenges unique to your vessel. We produce detailed mechanical installation drawings, electrical schematics, custom piping, and engine room layouts to streamline yard work and ensure a precise fit. From custom bases and mounts to complete pump and generator packages, our fabrication capabilities mean fewer dependencies on outside vendors and tighter control over quality and timeline.

Minimal Disruption, Maximum Performance

Our engineering-led approach is designed to minimize structural changes and vessel downtime. We plan every detail to get your vessel back in service as quickly as possible, with renewed power and efficiency.

Engineering-Driven Repower Solutions

Our design and analysis capabilities ensure your repowered vessel operates reliably under the most demanding conditions. We do not just install an engine. We validate the entire system.

Piping and Ventilation Analysis

We perform detailed calculations for exhaust, fuel, air, and cooling water systems, along with engine room ventilation sizing, to ensure optimal engine performance and longevity.

Vibration and Motion Analysis

To confirm smooth operation and structural integrity, our services include vibration isolation, six-degrees-of-motion (6-DOF) studies, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and shaft whirling analysis.

Seamless Project Documentation

We provide comprehensive documentation to your shipyard including wiring diagrams and installation drawings, ensuring the project is executed efficiently and correctly.

  • shrimp boats

  • TUNA LONGLINER

Fleet Repower Planning and Support

For fleet managers, a repower program is a strategic investment in future uptime and performance. We partner with you to develop a phased plan that aligns with scheduled maintenance windows, minimizing operational interruptions.

Strategic Fleet Modernization

We help you evaluate your fleet and build a long-term plan for replacing or overhauling engines to meet new performance demands and emissions standards. With deep experience in high-output CAT engines including the 3500 and 3600 series, our team can help you assess the right path forward for your specific vessels and operational profile.

Parts Availability and Service Readiness

Keeping Your Fleet Running, Long After the Sale

Our engineering solutions are backed by a deep commitment to long-term support. We leverage our extensive inventory of CAT parts and established supplier relationships to keep critical components available when you need them.

CAT Parts CTA Needed

Rapid-Response Field Service

Our specialized field service team and engineers are ready for rapid deployment, providing expert support from commissioning through the entire lifecycle of your repowered vessel.

Plan Your Repower Project

Our engineering team is ready to help you scope your next Caterpillar marine repower. Contact us to discuss your vessel’s requirements and learn how Thompson Marine can deliver a fully integrated, reliable power solution.

Contact Thompson Marine

A repower replaces the main engines in a vessel. A retrofit modernizes the propulsion system itself, including the propeller, thruster, shaftline, and control architecture, without necessarily replacing the engines. A Berg Propulsion retrofit engineered by Thompson Marine addresses the full propulsion plant, from blade geometry and pitch management through control system integration, and can be performed independently of or in conjunction with an engine repower.

Project timelines vary depending on vessel type, scope of work, and shipyard scheduling. Thompson Marine provides shipyard-ready documentation, including installation drawings, wiring schematics, shaftline layouts, and custom piping designs, to minimize installation time and reduce ambiguity during the upgrade. Every project begins with a thorough engineering assessment to establish an accurate timeline before work begins.


Yes. The Berg control platform is designed to manage mechanical, electric, and battery power sources natively within a single integrated system. A retrofit completed today installs the same control architecture that manages hybrid operations when power sources change. There is no need to replace or re-engineer the control system when the vessel transitions to hybrid or electric propulsion in the future.

Thompson Marine supports every installation throughout the life of the vessel. Factory-trained technicians are available for rapid deployment across the Americas to support commissioning, planned maintenance, and emergency response. Thompson Marine also maintains the most extensive Berg Propulsion parts inventory and field service capability in the United States, including the Swing Unit Program for critical thruster and controllable pitch propeller components, so parts are on hand when a vessel reaches dry dock.