Bollinger Completes Tug and Barge Conversion

Lockport, La.-based Bollinger Shipyards Inc. reported two of its shipyards in New Orleans completed the retrofit and conversion of barge and tug to an articulated tug and barge unit utilizing the Intercon Coupler System. Bouchard Coastwise Management Co owns the barge and tug. Bollinger officials say the unique conversion work shows the shipyard’s flexibility to meet customer needs. “This double hulling of the Bouchard B. No. 295 and the re-fit of the tug Bouchard Girls using two separate Bollinger facilities exemplifies Bollinger’s unique ability to work with the needs of our customers to complete the job,” said Ben Bordelon, Bollinger’s executive vice president of repair. “By using the strengths at our various facilities, we are able to mix and match facility and personnel strengths to accomplish large projects, such as conversions, retrofits and re-builds.” Bollinger Gulf Repair converted the 446-foot barge from a single-hull to a double hull vessel, installed a new ballast system, and modified the stern. At the Bollinger Algiers facility, the tug received a keel cooled Detroit Diesel 8V-71 generator set as back-up for powering the Intercon hydraulic system and main generator and completed renewal of all regulatory requirements. “We are pleased to announce that we have taken delivery of our fifth retrofit unit from Bollinger,” said Morton S. Bouchard III, president and chief executive of Bouchard Transportation Company Inc. “This redelivery of a modern, compliant, OPA ’90 barge into our fleet represents another step forward in our company’s commitment to the petroleum industry.”