Columbia Coastal Transport, LLC, a container feeder barge operator, announced the arrival of its newest container super-barge, Columbia Boston, into service this month.
The 912-TEU barge is sister to Columbia Elizabeth, which was put into service four years ago and is one of the largest container barges ever built. Columbia Boston, named for one of 11 ports that the company serves on a regular basis, will be available to transport empties, full container and project cargoes moving between ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
"This is the second super-barge we've built for the new millennium," said
Columbia Coastal president, Bruce Fenimore.
"With the government's focus on short sea shipping, our all-water transportation alternative for cargo and empties moving between ports can help alleviate port and highway congestion moving forward."
Built by VT Halter Marine Inc., based in Pascagoula, Miss., Columbia Boston is a 343 x 94 x 21-ft. deck cargo barge specially fitted to carry 20-, 40- and 45-ft. ISO containers, including reefers.
Built to ABS Maltese Cross A1 Barge standards, the barge capacity is 912 TEUs with a deadweight of 9,453 long tons.