Bollinger Wins Major Newbuild Contract

Bollinger Gretna, L.L.C., Harvey, La., and K-Sea Transportation Corp. of New York have signed a contract for the construction of four double hull, ocean service, OPA '90 oil barges. The barges will have capacities of 80,000 to 100,000 barrels - terms were not disclosed.

The barges will be built primarily for oil service on the Northeast U. S. coast. They will be coupled with existing K-Sea tugs using a connection system designed and delivered by Acomarin Engineering. The system will provide increased operating efficiency and will enhance the safety and reliability of the units.

The new barges will feature double block cargo segregation, segregated ballast, cargo monitoring and vapor recovery systems as well as advanced electrical and hydraulic systems. Formerly known as Gretna Machine & Iron Works, a multi-use construction and repair/conversion shipyard, its previous owner had dedicated the 66 year-old facility exclusively to repair and conversion work in October 1997.

Modules for all four barges will be fabricated at Bollinger Marine Fabricators Amelia, La and shipped to Bollinger-Gretna where they will be joined to other components produced at Bollinger-Gretna, where final assembly and installation of piping and other systems will be completed.

Delivery of the first barge is planned for summer of 2002, with delivery of the remaining three barges scheduled at regular intervals.