The following is the text of a news release from Bouchard Transportation:
(MELVILLE, N.Y.) — Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. has announced the new construction of articulated tug-barge (ATB) unit M/V Evening Breeze and Barge No. 252, which adds to the company’s fleet expansion plan that began in 2012.
M/V Evening Breeze is being constructed by VT Halter Marine Inc. and is the sister vessel to ATB tugs M/V Denise A. Bouchard and M/V Evening Star. Evening Breeze will be 4,000 hp and will meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 requirements. It will measure 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet and be equipped with an Intercon coupler system.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to build another quality vessel for Bouchard Transportation," said Robert Socha, senior vice president at VT Halter Marine. "Our companies have repeatedly teamed on projects going back to the 1970s, and we are excited to continue our relationship with the building of this ATB tug at our Pascagoula, Miss., facility.”
Barge No. 252 is being constructed by Bollinger Shipyards. It is the sister vessel to Barge No. 250, measuring 317 feet by 70 feet by 28 feet. Barge No. 252 will have a 55,000-barrel capacity, and be utilized to transport liquid petroleum products throughout the Jones Act market.
“Bollinger is proud to be a part of Bouchard’s fleet expansion plan with Barge No. 252," Bollinger Shipyard President and CEO Ben Bordelon said. "The Bollinger and Bouchard families have a long tradition of working together, and we appreciate the opportunity to continue this tradition.”
Hank Stewart has been awarded the responsibility to oversee the construction project through vessel completion as Bouchard’s manager of new construction, and will report directly to President and CEO Morton S. Bouchard III. Prior to joining Bouchard, Stewart worked as a VP of production at a shipyard specializing in small to medium-sized oceangoing vessels in the United States. Expected delivery for both vessels is first quarter of 2019.
Over the past five years, Bouchard has made significant advancements to its fleet, which included the delivery of two state-of-the-art ATB units (M/V Kim M. Bouchard and Barge No. 270 and M/V Donna J. Bouchard and Barge No. 272), and four ATB tugs (M/V Evening Star, M/V Denise A. Bouchard, M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E. Bouchard).
These Jones Act vessels include the newest modifications to the Intercon and pin system, as well as the most technologically advanced equipment in various spaces that are designed to reduce total emissions, thus ensuring a more eco-friendly fleet.