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Donna J Bouchard News

13 Jun 2018

#BTC100 History

In 1990, Richie Bates (pictured) joined Bouchard Transportation as a mate on the Ellen S. Bouchard, and soon rose to Captain of the Morton S. Bouchard Jr. in 1994. As one of BTC’s long-standing employees, Capt. Bates currently serves as Captain of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard, and leads his crew with a laser focus on always delivering petroleum products safely and efficiently. The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine. For more information contact: Greg Trauthwein, [email protected], t.

02 May 2018

#BTC100 History

Photo Courtesy of Tugboat Graffitti

2016 brought about another milestone within Bouchard Transportation Co. with the appointment of Danielle Bouchard as Director of Communications. As the daughter of Morton S. Bouchard III, and the fifth generation to enter the family business, Danielle also holds the distinction of being the first female family member to hold an active role in the Company. Most importantly, BTC continues to expand its fleet with the christening of the ATB unit M/V Donna J. Bouchard and B. No 272 in New Orleans, and the ATB tugs M/V Frederick Bouchard and M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. entering service.

28 Mar 2018

#BTC100 History

Photo Courtesy of Bouchard Transportation Co.

In 2010, Bouchard Transportation Co. begins investing in a major fleet expansion plan to construct the safest, most fuel-efficient and technologically advanced ATBs to be traded within the Jones Act Market. This includes the M/V Kim M. Bouchard and B. No 270 (pictured), and the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and B. No. 272.   The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine. For more information contact: Greg Trauthwein, [email protected], t. 516-810-7405.

01 Dec 2017

Bouchard's Fleet Expansion Continues

(Photo: Bouchard)

Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. announced the new construction of ATB unit M/V Evening Breeze and Barge B. No. 252, which adds to the company’s fleet expansion plan that began in 2012. The M/V Evening Breeze is being constructed in Pascagoula, Miss. by VT Halter Marine, Inc., and is the sister vessel to ATB tugs M/V Denise A. Bouchard and M/V Evening Star. The Evening Breeze will be 4,000hp meeting U.S. EPA-Tier 4 requirements, measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, and equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. The B. No.

20 Nov 2017

Bouchard Set to Celebrate a Century

(Photo: Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc.)

In 2018 one of the U.S. premier vessel owners – Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. (BTC) – celebrates its 100th year in business. Maritime Reporter looks at BTC’s evolution through the years. The year 2018 is a celebration year for the Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., which was founded in 1918 in New York Harbor by Capt. Frederick Bouchard, and will next year celebrate a century in business. The company’s first cargo was a shipment of coal, and its first oil barge was acquired in 1931.

06 Dec 2016

Interview: Morton S. Bouchard III Pulls No Punches

Morton S. Bouchard III (Photo: Coast Guard Foundation)

Morton S. Bouchard III pulls no punches discussing the maritime business and the spate of over-regulation infecting U.S. industry. Morton S. Bouchard III has served as President of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., the nation’s largest independently-owned oceangoing petroleum barge company, since 1996 and CEO since 1999, the fourth generation of the Bouchard family to helm the company since its incorporation in 1918. The Bouchard name is iconic in North American maritime circles, and Mr.

19 Aug 2016

Focus on Safety, Future Drive Operator Success

Barge No. 272, looking back towards M/V Donna J. Bouchard during the Christening Ceremony in New Orleans, LA, February, 2016. (Photo: Bouchard)

The hallmarks of a successful vessel operator are the same whether they are carrying liquid, physical or human cargo: A laser focus on safety, a twin commitment to customers and crew, and the vision to embrace and invest in the future. However obvious the bar, it is not easy to meet. “I don’t think there is any magic formula,” says Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, Crowley Marine Solutions. “The difference is that everything we work on regards providing a high quality of service to customers, pays off. In a rising market, it’s easy to do well.

28 Jul 2016

ATB Design Comes of Age

Kim M. Bouchard / B. No. 270 (Credit: Guarino & Cox)

The emerging trend of marrying the design of an articulated tug and barge (ATB) to a particular propulsion system to maximize efficiencies of that system has, of late, been taking hold in workboat markets. For example, one recent project involving a dynamic partnership between Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc, Guarino & Cox, LLC (GCL) naval architects, Nautican Research & Development Ltd., integrated propulsion unit manufacturers, and VT Halter Marine shipbuilders, aptly demonstrates the concept in practice. What the collaboration produced, is even more important.

09 Jun 2016

VT Halter Delivers ATB Tug for Bouchard

M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, a 6,000hp Twin Screw ATB tug, during sea trials (Photo: VT Halter Marine)

VT Halter Marine, Inc. has delivered the 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tug, MV Frederick E. Bouchard, to owner Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. at the shipbuilder’s facilities in Pascagoula, Miss. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The delivery, which culminates a two-vessel contract awarded by Bouchard Transportation to VT Halter Marine in August 2014, follows the delivery of the contract’s first vessel, MV Morton S. Bouchard Jr., on February 1, 2016. Both vessels were built to join Bouchard Transportation’s fleet for servicing the coastwise trade.

09 Apr 2016

VT Halter Launches Tug for Bouchard

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announces the launch of the M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, at its Moss Point Marine Shipyard Facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi on Thursday, March 31, 2016. M/V Frederick E. Bouchard is the second of two 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tugs constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. (Bouchard Transportation) under a two-vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in August 2014. Both M/V Frederick E. Bouchard and the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. measures, 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, are classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System.

19 Feb 2016

Bouchard's Newest ATB Christened in New Orleans

Photo: Bouchard Transportation Co.

Bouchard Transportation Co. celebrated the naming of the M/V Donna J. Bouchard and the B. No. 272 at the christening ceremony held on Thursday, February 18 in New Orleans. The ceremony began with remarks from Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. President/CEO, Morton S. Bouchard III, followed by VT Halter Marine and ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime. Vessel sponsor Joan Lesniewski, wife of Robert Lesniewski of ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime, performed the ceremonious breaking of the champagne bottles as executives from Bouchard, VT Halter Marine and several of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc.

05 Feb 2016

VT Halter Delivers ATB Tug to Bouchard

M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. on sea trials (Photo: VT Halter Marine)

VT Halter Marine, Inc. announced the delivery of the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr., the first of the two 6,000 horsepower Twin Screw Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tugs to Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. Measuring 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. is classed by ABS as +A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. The vessel was launched on October 29, 2015 at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Miss. Both M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E.

30 Nov 2015

VT Halter Launches Barge for Bouchard

Photo: VT Halter Marine

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems) and Bouchard Transportation Co. announced that Barge B. No. 272 was launched on November 20, 2015. This is the second barge of two Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. Measuring 628 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet, the barge B. No. 272 has a 250,000-barrel capacity, and is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service. When completed, the barge will be paired with the tug, M/V Donna J.

05 Nov 2015

VT Halter Launches Another ATB Tug for Bouchard

M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr.  6,000hp Twin Screw ATB tug (Photos: VT Halter)

Shipbuilder VT Halter Marine, Inc. and Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. announced the launch of M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr., a 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tug, on October 29, 2015. The M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. is part of a two-vessel contract awarded to the shipyard in August 2014. M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. and M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, are being constructed at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi, with delivery expected in January 2016 and May 2016, respectively.

24 Aug 2015

Bouchard Christens ATB

Photo: Bouchard Transportation Co.

Oceangoing petroleum barge company Bouchard Transportation Co. celebrated the christening of two new vessels, M/V Kim M. Bouchard and B. No. 270, in New Orleans. The B. No. 270 was launched at VT Halter Shipyard Operations in Pascagoula, Miss., earlier this year, and the tug Kim M. Bouchard was launched at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi. It is named after the older sister of Morton S. Bouchard III, President/CEO of Bouchard Transportation. Constructed independently of each other, and now paired, the M/V Kim M. Bouchard and B. No.

15 Jul 2015

Bouchard Transportation Christens New ATB Unit

Photo: Bouchard Transportation Co.

Oceangoing petroleum barge company Bouchard Transportation Co. celebrated the christening of two new vessels, M/V Kim M. Bouchard and B. No. 270, on Tuesday July 14, 2015 in New Orleans. The ceremony was honored by the Monsignor James Vlaun who blessed the vessels, and Marie Romais, wife of Dimitri Romais, Chartering Manager of SeaRiver Maritime and was attended by executives from Bouchard, VT Halter Marine and several of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. The B. No. 270 was launched at VT Halter Shipyard Operations in Pascagoula, Miss., on Friday, May 1, 2015. The tug Kim M.

06 May 2015

VT Halter Launches Barge for Bouchard Transportation

Photo courtesy of Bouchard Transportation

Bouchard Transportation Co., announced the launch of Barge B. No. 270, the first of two Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units constructed by VT Halter Marine, Inc., a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. The barge was launched at the Pascagoula Shipyard Operations in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Friday, May 1, 2015, following the launch of tug Kim M. Bouchard, part of the ATB unit, at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi, on February 26, 2015. When paired, Kim M. Bouchard and Barge B. No. 270 will be delivered to Bouchard as part of its ongoing fleet expansion program.

24 Apr 2015

VT Halter Powers Ahead

“The secret of VTHM’s success is our ability to harness existing commercial and defense-related project ‘know-how’ and integrate it with emerging technologies.  Our ability to do government and commercial work in one facility is one of the things that makes VT Halter a little different.”  Bill Skinner, CEO,  VT Halter Marine

If you drive just south of I-10 in Pascagoula, Miss., within 10 minutes you find yourself on the doorstep of VT Halter Marine, arguably one of the more diverse and active shipyards in the U.S. The company, which is a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VTS), operates three facilities in Jackson County, Miss., and today supports about 1,600 full time employees as well as about 1,600 vendors and subcontractors. •    A pair of 250,000 barrel ATBs and a pair of 6,000 hp ATB tugs for Bouchard Transportation, a long-tenured and important client for VT Halter.

04 Mar 2015

VT Halter Launches ATB Tug for Bouchard

ATB tug Kim M. Bouchard (Photo: VT Halter Marine)

VT Halter Marine launched ATB tug Kim M. Bouchard for Bouchard Transportation at Moss Point Marine facility on February 26, 2015. Measuring 150 feet long, the 10,000hp twin screw ATB tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter M, is equipped with Intercon Coupler Systems, and will pair up with Barge B. No. 270. The barge measures 625 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet and has a 250,000-barrel capacity. Used to transport liquid petroleum, the barge is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service.