Bouchard ATB program moves forward at VT Halter Marine

JANUARY 14, 2014 — “Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. is pleased with the progress of construction of the M/V Kim M. Bouchard and B. No.270 and the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and B. No.272 , the most modern, safest and efficient ATBs ever built for the Jones Act trade as well as the M/V Denise A. Bouchard which will be married up to the B. No.284,” says Morty S. Bouchard IV, Vice President of Operations, Bouchard Transportation.

Bouchard Transportation’s expansion program took another step forward yesterday when the Pascagoula, MS, shipyard of VT Halter Marine, Inc. laid the keel for the B No. 270, which is a component of one of two articulated tug barge (ATB) units on order for Bouchard.

The barge measures 625 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet, has a 250,000-barrel capacity and will be used to transport liquid petroleum. The barge is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service.

VT Halter Marine has scheduled a February 6, 2014 launch for the ocean going 112 ft 4,000 hp ATB Tug Denise A. Bouchard, sister tug to the previously built Evening Star. Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System.

Upon delivery, the ATB units and the offshore tug will enter into Bouchard’s fleet service in New York, N.Y.

“The laying of the keel marks a major milestone in the construction schedule for these units. With construction of this first barge underway and the upcoming launch of the ATB tug, we proudly look forward to delivering these quality-built ATB units to our long-standing customer, the Bouchard family,” said VT Halter Marine CEO, Bill Skinner.