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Ocean Tug Barge News

08 Mar 2021

Senesco Delivers New Tug for Reinauer

(Photo: Senesco Marine)

North Kingstown, R.I. shipbuilder Senesco Marine has built and delivered another EPA Tier 4 compliant tug, Janice Ann Reinauer, to Reinauer Transportation. Upon delivery, the tug went directly to work transporting product on the U.S East and Gulf Coasts.The 4,200-horsepower vessel was designed by Ocean Tug & Barge in close cooperation with The Reinauer operations team and is the 13th tug Senesco has built for Reinauer. The tug was designed to operate as an articulated tug-barge unit (ATB) with an Intercon coupling system.The Janice Ann is classed by ABS (A1…

17 Apr 2019

The Enduring, Iconic U.S. Flag ATB Model

The view from the Bouchard Boardroom and … beyond.The roots of the now familiar and reliable articulated tug and barge (ATB) business are deep and stretch all the way back to the 1800’s. Along the way, various patents to connect a tug and a barge with a secure mechanical connection were filed. The concept began to gather momentum in the late 1960’s when Edwin Fletcher with ARTUBAR, and the Bludworth family of flexible pushing systems were pioneering efforts to marry the economies of pushing with the safety and seakeeping inherent in mechanically linking the tug and barge at sea. Other systems were developed and tried; not all were successful.As a baseline…

10 Dec 2018

GREAT WORKBOATS: The Very Best 10 of 2018

MarineNews showcases the ten best of North America’s 2018 workboat deliveries. Domestic shipyard production is robust, innovative and getting greener. And, that translates into two kinds of ‘green.’As the domestic offshore energy support sector slowly awakens, other sectors have been happy to take the spotlight in its absence. As always, and if a hull was delivered in 2018, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For my part, I’m always excited when the U.S. boatbuilding sector can deliver for a foreign buyer. We’ve checked that box here. And, that’s because we can compete on price, quality and when we do…

10 Oct 2018

OT&BE joins Hyperion Marine Engineering Group

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm specializing in AT/B or Articulated Tug/Barge design announced that it is now a member of the Hyperion Marine Engineering Group headquartered in Portland, Maine with offices in India, Dubai, Norway and the Netherlands.CT Marine & Buoyancy Consultants formed Hyperion three years ago recognizing a need for an integrated naval architectural & marine engineering firm to serve the inland and offshore tug and barge industry that incorporates a capability for conceptual through highly detailed production design, all under one corporate roof. With over seventy engineers who span the globe…

05 Jul 2018

Workboat Design: Interview with Bob Hill

Robert P. (Bob) Hill, President, Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp.

Robert (Bob) Hill of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., of Milford, MA has specialized in the design of AT/B’s for many years. As probably the world's most experienced designer of large articulated tug/barge (AT/B) systems, Hill’s success comes, in part, from a willingness to innovate. Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corporation and Robert Hill are the co-inventors of the Intercon Connection System. In a nutshell, his firm has had a hand in over 70% of the operational AT/B’s in service in America – including, 80% of those built or converted since 1994.

20 Feb 2018

Marine News Boat of the Month: February 2018

In late November 2017, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), the largest provider of dredging services in the United States and a major provider of environmental and infrastructure services, took delivery of the new build ATB hopper dredge Ellis Island and tug Douglas B. Mackie after successful completion of United States Coast Guard and ABS regulatory sea trials. Representing a substantial reinvestment in the GLDD (and U.S. flag dredging) fleet, Ellis Island significantly…

02 Aug 2017

The Evolving ATB Jones Act Business Model

ATB Corpus Christi/Petrochem Supplier (Image Credit: US Shipping Corp)

Today’s ATB play seemingly has legs for the long haul, as operators build and market needs fluctuate. The refined product trades are always in flux. Similarly, the supply patterns for products (and for chemicals derived from oil refining) are subject to constant change. At the same time, the distribution of refined petroleum products sees great benefit from the efficiency of Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs), which have the flexibility to adjust to dynamic supply programs between refineries and myriad distribution facilities dotting the coastline. It wasn’t always like that.

29 Sep 2014

GLDD, ESG in Steel Cutting Ceremony

Eastern Shipbuilding is pleased to announce that on, Monday, September 15, 2014, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC “(Great Lakes”) (NASDAQ: GLDD) and Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) cut steel starting the construction of a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge ATB . The cutting ceremony of the 433’ Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge took place in Eastern’s under roof pre-fabrication building at its Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida. This indoor facility supports both of Eastern’s new construction facilities with state of the art equipment and a highly skilled workforce.

28 Sep 2014

Eastern Shipbuilding Start Construction of Dredge Barge ATB for Great Lakes

Eastern Shipbuilding is pleased to announce that on, Monday, September 15, 2014, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC  and Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) cut steel starting the construction of a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge ATB . The cutting ceremony of the 433’ Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge took place in Eastern’s under roof pre-fabrication building at its Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida. This indoor facility supports both of Eastern’s new construction facilities with state of the art equipment and a highly skilled workforce. • WHEELOBRATOR Automatic Shot-blasting and Painting Machine for steel plate and shapes. • MESSER MG CNC (NC) plasma cutting and burning machine with four (4) 10’x40’ dry cutting tables.

07 Jul 2014

Demand for Coastal and Transoceanic ATBs Grows

Along the way, ATBs gain speed, efficiency, safety – and popularity. Operators of articulated tugs and barges, or ATBs, say they like the maneuverability, weather reliability, stability, speed of these units, and the manner in which the tug pushes the barge. As a marine transportation concept, they can also simply be described as versatile. ATBs move petroleum, chemicals, coal, grain, containerized cargo and rail cars for customers on the U.S. coasts, rivers, the Great Lakes and overseas. As a result, demand for articulated units expanded in the last two decades with new technology.

01 Apr 2014

Eastern Shipbuilding Get GLDD Dredger/Tug ATB Contract

Image courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding

Eastern Shipbuilding inform that Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC (GLDD) has placed orders for construction of a 433’ Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge and a 158’-4” 15,600 BHP, CPP Tug. Named the GLDD302 (ESG Hull 252), the ATB Tug detailed engineering is being performed by Ship’s Architect, Inc. and the GLDD151 (ESG Hull 253), the ATB Dredge Barge by Bay Engineering, Inc. Both are  based upon an Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering, Inc. ATB design. This Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) Unit, will be delivered in 2016.

29 Jan 2014

Kirby Christens ATB in New Orleans

Inland and coastal giant christens ATB duo Jason E. Duttinger and Winna Wilson in an October New Orleans ceremony. The crew of the Jason E. Duttinger took a break from hauling coal between Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and Florida on Oct. 30 as Kirby Corp. of Houston christened the articulated tug-and-barge unit in New Orleans at the dock of the Hilton Riverside Hotel. Both units were named in honor of two special individuals. Jason Duttinger was a senior transportation specialist at North Carolina-based Duke Energy when he died of cancer in 2011.

29 Oct 2013

Commissioner Doyle: LNG "Blossoming" as Marine Fuel

FMC Commissioner William P. Doyle

FMC Commissioner William P. Doyle issued this morning’s opening remarks at the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L) 6th Sino - American Logistics Conference in Chicago, Il, where he addressed the use of LNG as a marine fuel. Doyle cited the United States' abundance of natural gas as a driver for the country’s marine industry to adopt LNG as an alternative fuel source. In addition, he spoke to the environmental and economic benefits associated with the use of LNG in the maritime segment.

08 Oct 2013

The ATB – What Does The Future Hold?

The AT/B comes of age: operating coastwise, Jones Act – and beyond the horizon, too. A great deal has been written about the capabilities of the AT/B, or “Articulated Tug/Barge” unit in recent years. Without a doubt, though, the concept is firmly established as a viable ocean and coastwise transportation system in North America. But like any transportation asset, the concept has to not only expand its’ capabilities, but also conform over time to ever-changing rules and regulations. It must also be able to embrace and adapt to changes in technology that hold the promise of reduced emissions as well as savings in fuel and protection of the environment.

05 Apr 2013

Responding to “The Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Quandary”

I read with great dismay, the article that appeared in your magazine’s February 2013 issue, entitled “THE ARTICULATED TUG BARGE (ATB) QUANDRY”. noun, plural quandaries : a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma. There is no dilemma involving AT/B’s present in the coastwise or ocean transportation marketplace. AT/B’s are indeed increasingly supplanting ships in the Jones Act coastal trade. It is a trend that is slowly beginning to spread to coastwise transport in other regions of the world as well.

25 Sep 2012

Signal Invests in the Future

Signal invests $40m in Orange, TX shipyard; Building ATBs currently for Kirby Ocean Tranporation Co. A ubiquitous presence in the Gulf of Mexico ship construction and repair market is Mobile, Ala.-based Signal International, a Marine and Fabrication company which employs about 1800 in its four production facilities across Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Signal specializes in new construction, ship repair, and rig repair. Signal can handle marine construction and repair needs with three dry docks…

31 Aug 2012

Ocean Tug & Barge Designing AT/B Dredge Tug

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp. will design the tug portion of a new AT/B dredge to be built at Signal International, in Orange, TX, for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. The “RAPID” Class AT/B’s high speed parent form lines for both the tug and the barge were developed by OT&BE and Taisei Engineering, of Tokyo. MARIN is adapting the lines to the specific dredge requirements and engaging in the associated optimization. The design feathers near-ship speeds with ship-like horsepower and is a great advance in AT/B design. Container AT/B’s under design with the same hulls will be capable of 16+ knots at near-ship HP levels. OT&BE will also design the supporting structure in the notch area of the barge to accept the Articouple connection system that will be used to connect the tug and barge.

03 Nov 2010

Washburn & Doughty Delivers Mary Ann Moran

 Photo courtesy Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc.

On September 1, 2010, Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. delivered the Mary Ann Moran, a 121 ft x 36 ft x 18 ft Intercon Tug, to Moran Towing Corporation. Designed by Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., Mary Ann Moran is the fourth vessel built by Washburn & Doughty to this design and delivered to Moran Towing. According to the vessel’s captain, Mr. Jake Jarrell, “I can say that this boat is by far one of the best vessels I have ever had the pleasure of working on in over 30 years in the industry.

01 Apr 2011

Signal Wins $47M Contract for ATB

Signal International has been awarded a $47M contract by Kirby Ocean Transport Company of Houston, Texas, to build an articulated tug/barge (AT/B) unit with an option for an additional unit. The AT/B vessel is comprised of a 20,000 DWT ocean bulk barge with a 6,000 BHP AT/B ocean tug. The barge will measure 480 ft x 90 ft x 36 ft and will be outfitted with Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering’s Articouple connection. The 6,000 HP tugboat will be 125 ft x 42 ft x 22 ft built and classed to ABS Maltese Cross, +A1 Ocean Towing Service standards. The AT/B will transport dry-bulk commodities in United States coastwise trade. The barge fabrication work will commence in the second quarter of 2011 at Signal’s state-of-the-art continuous flow manufacturing facility in Orange, Texas, which has 450,000 sq.

08 Aug 2011

Kirby Excercises ATB Option with Signal

Signal International announced the option to build the second articulated tug/barge (AT/B) vessel has been exercised by Kirby Ocean Transport Company of Houston, Texas. Signal’s state-of-the-art continuous flow manufacturing facility in Orange, Texas now has a backlog of nearly $100M. Engineering, planning and material procurement for the first AT/B is on schedule for manufacturing work to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Simultaneously, fabrication of the second unit is also slated to get underway before year’s end. The AT/B vessels are comprised of a 20,000 DWT ocean bulk barge with a 6,000 BHP AT/B ocean tug. Each barge measures 480 ft x 90 ft x 36 ft and will be outfitted with Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering’s Articouple connection.

12 Oct 2001

ATB Designer Preps For New Release

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp., is one of the most experienced designers of Articulated Tug/Barge (ATB) units in the marine industry, boasting more than 20 years of experience in the design and engineering of ATBs for ocean and coastwise service. As one of the original co-inventors of the INTERCON tug/barge connection system, as well as having engineered the application of other connection systems to many tugs and barges, such as Bludworth, Bark River, and Articouple, the firm has unmatched real-world experience in ATB design. Because ATBs are the firm's focus, it's vast experience in model testing, FEA, transport studies, and contract design enables OT&BE Corp. to apply real-world knowledge gained aboard actual, operating vessels of its' design.

15 Sep 2008

Linda Moran Delivered

August 15, 2008 was a milestone for Washburn & Doughty as the Linda Moran left the shipyard. Linda Moran is the first vessel delivered by the shipyard since a fire on July 11, 2008 destroyed the company's main construction building. The Linda Moran was tied to the company's barge when the fire broke out. Thankfully, due to light winds and local lobstermen who towed the vessel away from the barge, the Linda Moran survived undamaged. The Linda is a 121 x 36 x 18-ft. Intercon tug owned by the Moran Towing Corporation of .

10 Aug 2009

Ocean Tug & Barge Delivers FacetTug Design

Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering Corp. has completed the engineering of an AT/B conversion for Reinauer Transportation of Staten Island, N.Y., the third such AT/B conversion engineered by the Milford, Mass. firm for Reinauer with a fourth currently underway. The converted AT/B tug Craig Eric Reinauer was recently delivered by Senesco Marine of North Kingstown, R.I., to Reinauer Transportation. The 4610 BHP tug received an Intercon connection system  at the Rhode Island shipyard.