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Orange Shipbuilding News

03 May 2021

USACE Towboat Reassigned and Renamed

Quincy was built in 2008 and joins five other vessels in the Mississippi River Structures Maintenance fleet located at the Mississippi River Project Office in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. Its function is to serve as the primary towing vessel for the fleet’s new Quad Cities Crane barge. (Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District held a christening ceremony in Quincy, Ill., on Friday for the latest towing vessel to joins its fleet.The vessel, which has been renamed Quincy, was built in 2008 by Texas shipyard Orange Shipbuilding for $5 million and is being relocated from the Corps' Louisville District.Originally named the Gordon M. Stevens, the vessel was designed and contracted by the USACE's Marine Design Center and served as part of the construction…

11 Oct 2010

N.C. Ferry Fleet to Get Two New Boats

According to an October 10 report from The Virginian Pilot, two sister vessels will soon join the family of ferries transporting passengers and vehicles across North Carolina's coastal waterways. The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a $14.9m contract to Orange Shipbuilding Co. in Orange, Texas, to build a ferry capable of carrying 300 passengers and 50 vehicles across the Pamlico Sound. The project is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (Source: The Virginian Pilot)

16 Sep 2009

Bristol Harbor Designs 35,000 BBL Barge

Photo courtesy Bristol Harbor Group

Statia Victory, a 35,000 BBL, 290-ft Double Hull Tank Barge designed by Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) has recently been completed and delivered by Orange Shipbuilding Co., Inc. (OSB) in Orange, Texas, a division of Conrad Industries, Inc. The barge, OSB hull #403, is similar to several previous BHGI designs and a close sister vessel to OSB hull numbers 395, 396, 397, and 400. The Statia Victory incorporates numerous modifications to piping systems, deck layout, mooring and fendering arrangements to suit owner-specific needs for bunkering and lightering processes.

19 May 2009

Bay-Houston Towing’s Third Conrad Z-Tech Tug

Bay-Houston Towing Co. has taken delivery of their third Z-Tech 7500 tug. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The Hunter M was delivered to Bay-Houston in April of this year by her builder, Conrad’s Orange Shipbuilding yard after dock and sea trials in Orange, Texas. The Hunter M is the final boat in the series of Z-Tech 7500’s to be completed by Orange Ship Building. The arrival of the Hunter M brings to 18 the number of harbor tugs in Bay-Houston Towing Company’s fleet.

01 Dec 2008

Newest Z-Tech Tug for Texas Gulf

Tuesday, Nov. 25, Suderman and Young Towing Company (S&Y) announced the addition of the new Z-Tech tug Evelena to its coastal Texas fleet. Along with Thor, launched in 2007. “Because of the deepening and widening of the Houston Ship Channel, much bigger ships now call into the Port of Houston,” said Lamar Doyle, President of S&Y. The Z-Tech design incorporates a standard Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) and Z-drive configurations. With its 360 degree turning wheel, the design improves maneuverability, while the Evelena Z-Tech’s much larger skeg boosts towing capability and directional stability.

22 Feb 2008

Conrad Signs Contracts Totaling $50.3m

Conrad Industries, Inc. $84.5 million at December 31, 2006. new addition to Conrad’s portfolio of products. inland waterway operation. barges that range in size from 120’x30’x7’ to 192’x42’x10’. Orange Shipbuilding facility. 600 people. over other designs submitted in the bidding process. ferry.

27 Dec 2007

Bay-Houston Receives Z-Tech Tugboat

Bay-Houston Towing took delivery of its first of their Z-Tech 7500 tugs. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The WESLEY A was delivered to Bay-Houston on Dec. 18, 2007 by her builder, Main Iron Works, of Houma, LA after extensive dock and sea trials at New Orleans. The WESLEY A is only the second Z-Tech 7500 to be completed, and is also only the second Z-Tech to be built in the United States. The arrival of the WESLEY A brings to 16 the number of harbor tugs in Bay-Houston Towing Co.’s growing fleet. The WESLEY A’s principal dimensions are: Length, 98.5 ft., beam 39.3 ft., and a hull depth of 16.4 ft. She is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C engines, which produce 3150 horsepower each for a total of 6300 horsepower.

21 Dec 2007

Bay-Houston Towing Receives First Z-Tech Tug

Bay-Houston Towing Co. has taken delivery of the first of their innovative Z-Tech 7500 tugs. The Z-Tech 7500 design is the largest of the Robert Allan line of Z-Tech tugboats. The WESLEY A was delivered to Bay-Houston on Dec. 18, 2007 by her builder, Main Iron Works, of Houma, LA after extensive dock and sea trials at New Orleans. The WESLEY A is only the second Z-Tech 7500 to be completed, and is also only the second Z-Tech to be built in the United States. The arrival of the WESLEY A brings to 16 the number of harbor tugs in Bay-Houston Towing Co.’s growing fleet.

23 Oct 2003

Feature: N. Carolina Adds Two New Ferries

The State of North Carolina has been very good to shipbuilding companies along the Gulf Coast. In the last 10 years, nearly a dozen ferries have been built or substantially modernized in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. In just the past two years, the second largest state ferry system in the nation has built two 180-ft. car/passenger ferries and substantially renovated two additional vessels. The two new ferries are literally carbon copies of each other. "They were built from the same set of plans, so it is difficult to get two vessels any more similar than that," said Dan Noe, manager of quality assurance for the North Carolina Ferry Division.

14 Nov 2003

Orange Shipbuilding Signs Partnership with OSHA

Conrad Industries, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, Orange Shipbuilding, Inc. has signed a one-year Strategic Partnership Program Agreement for Worker Safety and Health with the Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This voluntary, cooperative relationship is designed to increase occupational safety and health and to reduce injuries and illnesses. Lewis J. Derbes, Jr., Conrad’s Vice-President and CFO commented, “The Company is committed to protecting its most valuable assets: its employees. Through their hard work and commitment to the Company’s safety principles, Conrad has become one of the safest shipyards in the United States and was distinguished as such by the Shipbuilders Council of America earlier this year.

04 Apr 2002

Conrad Awarded Contracts

Conrad Industries, Inc. was awarded contracts for two 75 ft. tug boats with four options for a total of a six boat program. This new class of tugs will be ABS classed and include double bottoms in the fuel tanks. According to Conrad Industries president and CEO, Kenneth G. “Jerry” Myers, Jr., the work on the initial tug will begin immediately with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for December 2002. Conrad’s Orange Shipbuilding Group will construct the vessels. Conrad has also been notified by the State of North Carolina that it was the low bidder on their 180 ft. ferry. Myers said that the work will also be performed by Orange Shipbuilding which completed a similar vessel in 1992.

27 Mar 2002

Conrad Snags Several Key Newbuild Contracts

Conrad Industries, Inc.'s President and CEO, Kenneth G. "Jerry" Myers, Jr., said recently that the company was the recipient of several newbuild programs. Myers reported that the company was awarded contracts for two 75-ft. tug boats with four options for a total of a six boat program. This new class of tugs will be ABS classed and include double bottoms in the fuel tanks. Myers said, "Work on the initial tug will begin immediately with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for December 2002. This program fits well with our strategic direction of making the Company's Orange Shipbuilding group, located in Orange, Texas, the premier tug boat builder. Orange Shipbuilding has a long history of building tug boats dating back to the beginning of the Company in 1974.

09 May 2002

Conrad Reports First Quarter 2002 Results

Conrad Industries, Inc. compared to net income of $951,000 and earnings per diluted share of $0.13 for the three months ended March 31, 2001. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2002 were $10.6 million compared to $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001. The company's backlog was $11.3 million at March 31, 2002 as compared to $10.4 million at December 31, 2001 and $13.2 million at March 31, 2001. Gross profit was $2.1 million (19.8% of revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2002 as compared to gross profit of $2.8 million (23.3% of revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2001. Net cash used by operating activities was $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31…

16 May 2002

Conoco To Build New Towboats

Conoco is building four new towboats with innovative safety, environmental and design improvements that set new standards for the inland towing industry. "We are raising the bar for towboat design, machinery and marine systems by constructing American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class boats," said Karen Stacey, director of Conoco domestic marine. Contrary to the name, towboats actually "push" cargo barges along the Intracoastal Waterway and major rivers. The new towboats, being built by Orange Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas, will have safety enhancements such as CO2 extinguishing systems, fuel shutdowns, fire detection systems and fire fighting systems.

18 Jun 2002

Planned Renovations Key to North Carolina

The State of North Carolina has the nation's second largest ferry system. Only the State of Washington's system is larger. Its 23 vessels annually carry 2.5 million passengers and one million vehicles. The ferry system is operated by the Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which employs approximately 380 permanent employees. This number increase to approximately 450 during the summer season. There are four ferry routes on three bodies of water connecting the mainland with the offshore islands of Ocracoke, Hatteras and Notts Islands. Three routes cross the Cape Fear, Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. The Ferry Division also has a dredge, tugs, fuel barge and its own shipyard located in Manns Harbor.

18 Jun 2002

Conoco Cuts Steel on Innovative Towboats

Conoco is building four new towboats that purportedly offer innovations in safety, environmental interaction, as well as design improvements that Conoco claims will set new standards for the inland towing industry. "We are raising the bar for towboat design, machinery and marine systems by constructing American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class boats," said Karen Stacey, director of Conoco domestic marine. The new vessels, being built by Orange Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas, will have safety enhancements such as CO2 extinguishing systems, fuel shutdowns, fire detection systems and fire fighting systems. Environmental upgrades will include main propulsion engines that are compliant with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards.

03 May 2007

Conrad Industries Announces Backlog and New Contracts

Conrad Industries, Inc. million at December 31, 2006. Bay-Houston Towing Co. vessels for the others under construction. additional 214’x42’x12’ 8,500 bbl. our Morgan City facilities. by two other customers.

25 Apr 2007

Bay-Houston Towing Co. to Build Third Z-Tech Harbor Tug

On April 16, 2007, Mark Kuebler, President of Bay-Houston Towing Co., signed a contract with Orange Shipbuilding for a Z-Tech harbor tug. This marks the second Z-Tech 6300 hp harbor tug to be built at Orange Shipbuilding for Bay-Houston and the third Z-Tech to enter Bay-Houston’s fleet. Orange Shipbuilding is located in Orange, TX. Delivery is scheduled for early February 2009. The Z-Tech design by Robert Allan has proven successful throughout the world. Bay-Houston Towing Co. is one of only two companies currently building them in the United States. The vessel will be Orange Shipbuilding Hull H-394. The tug will be 98.5 feet long, with a beam of 39.3 feet, and a hull depth of 16.4 feet.

10 Apr 2006

Conrad Announces Contract Modification

Conrad Industries, Inc. entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia for the issuance of a modification for $4.3 million to increase the contract price of the contract entered into in September 2002 to design, construct, test and deliver four towboats. In addition, the agreement provides for time extensions to complete certain aspects of the contract. This agreement was reached to fully resolve and settle the claim filed by Conrad’s subsidiary, Orange Shipbuilding, in July 2005. The Corps has agreed to pay the settlement amount at the earliest possible date as funds become available. Conrad expects to receive the funds within the second quarter of 2006, although no assurances can be given.

18 Apr 2006

Conrad Announce Contract Modification

Conrad Industries, Inc. has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Army Engineer District, Philadelphia for the issuance of a modification for $4.3m to increase the contract price of the contract entered into in September 2002 to design, construct, test and deliver four towboats. In addition, the agreement provides for time extensions to complete certain aspects of the contract. This agreement was reached to fully resolve and settle the claim filed by Conrad’s subsidiary, Orange Shipbuilding, in July 2005. The Corps has agreed to pay the settlement amount at the earliest possible date as funds become available. Conrad expects to receive the funds within the second quarter of 2006, although no assurances can be given.

22 Nov 2006

Bay-Houston Orders Z-Drive Tug

Bay-Houston Towing Co. contracted with Orange Shipbuilding Co., Inc. of Orange, Texas to produce a second generation Robert Allan Ltd. designed Z-Tech tug. · The forward deck (over the skeg) has a low, flat sheer, creating a spacious, relatively flat and safe working deck, without any obstructive anchor chains, etc. · For "sea-going" operations, the Z-Tech tug works astern in tractor mode, so the shape of this part of the hull is more rounded in plan than would typically be seen in an ASD design. There is no appreciable loss of speed in this direction of operation. The increased flare and freeboard at the "aft" end is simply to ensure a drier operation when towing in this direction. · Only one winch is required for both harbor and coastal towing operations.

31 Oct 2006

Conrad Industries Delivers Towboat

Conrad Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of the MV Kenneth Eddy to the US Army Corp of Engineers, Huntington District. The primary mission of the Towboat will be year-round mobilization of the Huntington District Repair Fleet Floating Plant to perform scheduled and emergency maintenance to 400 miles of navigable channels and navigable structures on the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers. The vessel was built at Conrad’s Orange Shipbuilding facility in Orange, TX and was delivered September, 2006. The Towboat measures 124’-8” x 33’-10” and has a full load draft of 8’-6”. Power is provided by two (2) Caterpillar 3512B main engines and the gears are Falk 2083MRH.

16 Nov 2006

Conrad to Build Tugs for Bay-Houston and Suderman & Young

Conrad Industries, Inc. has signed two contracts for construction of two 98-ft., Z-Tech 7500 Class Terminal/Escort Tugs with Bay-Houston Towing Co.and Suderman & Young Towing Company, L.P. These ABS -classed tugs will provide harbor tug services for LNG vessels calling at the Freeport LNG terminal which is currently under construction in the Port of Freeport, Texas. G&H Towing Company of Galveston, Texas will operate the two tugboats. Johnny Conrad, President and CEO said "We are excited to add Bay- Houston and Suderman & Young as customers. These two new contracts are scheduled to be constructed at our Orange Shipbuilding facility which has constructed sixty-five tugs and towboats since 1974. With these additions, our current backlog is at a record high of approximately $93m.”