Bollinger inks deal for Bouchard tank barge

Bollinger Marine Fabricators, L.L.C., Amelia, La., recently signed a contract with Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., Melville, N.Y., to build a 55,000 bbl OPA 90-compliant tank barge, according to an announcement by Chris Bollinger, Bollinger executive vice president, new construction. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Being a part of Bouchard’s continued growth as a leader in the tank barge market,” said Bollinger, “has been an important part of Bollinger’s success in building OPA’90 tank barges, and we look forward to future opportunities with the Bouchard organization and family.” The 55,000 BBL tank barge is a manned ocean service, clean oil barge measuring 317-ft 6-in long, with a 70-ft beam and a depth of 28-ft.  Named the B. No. 250, the barge is a new design especially engineered for Bouchard, built and certified by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

The barge, shown in the outboard profile drawing, is designed to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90), with 12 cargo compartments and two separate pumping systems, capable of transporting grade A and lower petroleum products.  B. No. 250 will be fitted with an Intercon coupling ladder system, dual pump ballast system, two Techcrane hose handling cranes, and Coastal Marine anchor and mooring winches.

Morton S. Bouchard III, President/CEO of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. said, “Bouchard has entered into another construction phase for quality, flat deck double hull barges, which will support our company goal to supply our present and new customers with quality equipment.” Added Bouchard, “Bouchard looks forward to additional new construction barges with Bollinger in the near future.”

May 18, 2011