The following is the text of a news release from Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG):
(STURGEON BAY, Wis.) — Fincantieri Marine Group has signed a contract for the construction of an articulated tug-barge unit (ATB) for delivery in late 2017. The contract includes an option for a second ATB unit to be potentially delivered in 2018. The vessels will be built at FMG’s Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
The new barge will have a capacity of 185,000 barrels with dimensions of 578 feet by 78 feet. The tug will be an 8,000-hp unit equipped with new Tier 4 engines to meet the latest EPA emission standards. When complete, this new ATB will operate on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
“We are pleased to have this opportunity,” said Francesco Valente, FMG president and CEO. “This new contract marks an additional expansion of our product portfolio, confirms our ability to win business with new customers in a very competitive market and further consolidates our presence and reach in the U.S. market.”
“This award increases our pipeline of new construction to 10 vessels and provides additional stability to our business,” said FBS Vice President and General Manager Todd Thayse. “We are grateful for the confidence that our customers continue to place in our reputation for quality and the strong shipbuilding skills of our work force.”
Editor's note: Michael Pinkham, vice president of sales and marketing for Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, said the company ordering the ATB wishes to remain anonymous at this time.
