(BELLE CHASSE, La.) — C&C Marine and Repair has delivered the towboat Al Sloss to Canal Barge Company, completing the first vessel in a four-boat newbuild series currently under construction for the New Orleans-based operator.
The 2,600-horsepower, 87-by-34-foot towboat was designed by C&C Marine and Repair’s in-house engineering team and constructed on an accelerated schedule, with delivery completed in approximately six months.
“This project marks the first new-construction towboat we’ve ever built for Canal Barge Company, and we wanted to put our best foot forward,” said Tony Cibilich, owner of C&C Marine and Repair. “Despite the aggressive schedule, it was important to keep Canal Barge closely involved throughout the build.”
Throughout construction, Canal Barge Company worked closely with C&C Marine’s project management team to incorporate minor adjustments and design modifications in real time.
“Having our offices located just down the road from C&C Marine’s shipyard gave us far greater access than we typically have during a new-construction project,” said Mike Stone, project manager for Canal Barge Company. “Real-time decisions were made throughout the vessel’s construction as a result of that close coordination with their team.”
Delivery of the remaining three vessels in the series is scheduled to follow at two- to three-month intervals.
Al Sloss is powered by two Mitsubishi S12-R main engines, supplied by Laborde Products, and is equipped with two FPT generator sets. The propulsion package includes Reintjes WAF 665 reduction gears provided by Karl Senner LLC. Eagle Control Systems furnished the vessel’s steering, alarm and monitoring systems.
Accommodations include eight berths outfitted with a soft-core joiner system supplied by Kern Martin to enhance comfort and improve fire protection.
The vessel’s navigation and communications suite, supplied by GMENI Marine Electronics and Supply, includes Furuno radars, AIS, a satellite compass, bridge alarm system, loudhailer, and Standard Horizon VHF communications, along with supporting bridge instrumentation and sensors. In addition, the towboat is equipped with two Carlisle & Finch 1,000-watt searchlights, two Wintech 40-ton winches, and a Wintech 5-ton vertical capstan.
Cibilich noted that one of the project’s biggest challenges was managing tariff-related uncertainty affecting equipment and materials.
“By working closely with our vendors and planning proactively, we were able to mitigate cost increases and avoid passing those additional expenses on to Canal Barge,” he said.
Building on the Canal Barge project, C&C Marine and Repair is also constructing six 2,600-hp inland towboats for open sale, with the first scheduled for completion early in the third quarter of 2026.
In addition, C&C has two Multi Cat-class workboats nearing completion – both expected to deliver before the end of the first quarter of 2026 – providing operators an opportunity to secure versatile, job-ready assets without long newbuild lead times. The yard is also completing a large cutter suction dredge, slated for delivery in the second quarter of 2026, ideal for contractors seeking a near-term build backed by C&C’s fabrication strength and shipyard-scale execution.
– C&C Marine and Repair
