Gunderson set to celebrate its first-ever dual vessel launch

Image: Gunderson

Gunderson Marine & Iron (GM&I) is preparing to mark a significant milestone on April 18 with the simultaneous launch of two newly constructed barges from the side launch ways at its Portland, Oregon, shipyard.

The vessels are the Mt. Rainier, a refined products barge built for Vancouver, Wash.-based Tidewater Transportation and Terminals,, and the Cordova Provider II, a deck cargo barge built for the Lynden family of companies.

This first simultaneous launch of two vessels in Gunderson’s history, will put in focus the capability of the company’s waterfront operations and the coordination required across engineering, planning, production, safety, and launch teams to carry out the two launches at the same time.

The Mt. Rainier is designed to operate on the Columbia and Snake River systems. The vessel will add capacity to Tidewater’s fleet, strengthening the reliable delivery of critical energy supplies to communities and industries across the Pacific Northwest.

Launching alongside it will be the Cordova Provider II, a deck cargo barge destined for service in Alaska. The vessel is intended to serve Alaska’s Prince William Sound communities, supporting critical freight services that many residents and businesses depend on.

The April 18 event will include a blessing and christening of both vessels before the launch sequence begins. At the designated moment, the launch mechanisms will be released, and both barges will enter the river in a carefully coordinated operation, creating a notable operational achievement and a memorable moment for customers, employees, and guests.

“This dual launch represents the skill of our workforce, the strength of our planning and execution, and the pride we take in building vessels that serve critical transportation needs in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska,” said Dee Burch, owner, president and CEO of Gunderson Marine & Iron.