Ala.-Miss. yards' ATB works

Crowley Fuels has signed construction contracts to build a 55,000-barrel, articulated tug-barge (ATB) specifically designed to serve the Western Alaska market with delivery of clean fuel products. The 410-foot ATB will have enhanced performance features. ATBs consist of a tugboat and barge that are connected from the bow to a notch of the stern of the barge by a hinged connection system, allowing the two vessels to work as one. The tug will be constructed by Master Boat Builders of Bayou La Batre, Ala. The 350-foot barge will be built by Gunderson Marine LLC of Portland, Ore. The ATB is expected to be delivered in January 2021. Crowley operates and manages the largest U.S.-flag petroleum and chemical tank vessel fleet in the U.S. Gulf Coast office locations are at Gulfport, Miss.; Lake Charles and New Orleans, La. This new ATB will follow the completion of Crowley’s 100,000-barrel ATB now finishing construction at Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La., for service under charter in Alaska to Petro Star Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC). (Source: Marine Link 08/28/19) https://www.marinelink.com/news/crowley-orders-new-atb-enhanced-ak-469998?utm_source=MT-ENews-2019-08-27&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MT-ENews