Ledcor Adds Six New Cargo Barges

The Ledcor Group of Companies announced that it has taken delivery of six new cargo barges to serve clients in southwest B.C.

Ledcor said its marine division has grown significantly since its inception in 2012 and is on target to double its fleet size by 2016, bringing its fleet totals to nine tugboats and 23 barges.

"Ledcor continues to invest in its marine operations, allowing us to expand and diversify to meet the needs of current and future clients," said Mark Houghton, Chief Operating Officer for Ledcor's Marine Operations.

The six new barges delivered from China were jointly designed with Ledcor customer Mainland Sand & Gravel to meet its market and operational requirements. The Mainland quarry in Mission produces aggregates that are delivered to various depots on the Fraser River. Two of the six barges are 73 meters in length and 18 meters wide, and will carry 3,800 metric tons of cargo onboard. Four of the six barges are 63 meters in length and 18 meters wide, and will carry 3,300 metric tons of cargo onboard. The barge dimensions and cargo lift capacities are right-sized for the water depths available at the quarry, loading dock dimensions, and in consideration of Fraser River bridges that the barges must transit under. The barges were designed by Capilano Maritime, and the design drawings approved and barges built to Lloyds Register Class standards.

Ledcor's announcement comes on the heels of another recent acquisition that took place in March 2015, when the marine division added two new flat-deck heavy cargo barges and one 1,200 horsepower tugboat.