Vigor Fab, the industrial fabrication and new-build division
of Vigor Industrial, has been awarded a contract to build two 83,000-barrel
tank barges for Harley Marine Services.
Construction is expected to begin this month at Vigor’s
60-acre shipyard in Portland, which has an 800-foot buildway, a 600-ton gantry
crane and 360,000 square feet of covered fabrication areas.
The 422-foot by 76-foot by 27-foot tank barges were designed
by Elliott Bay Design Group and are to be among the largest vessels constructed
for Harley Marine’s fleet. Vigor also built the Sixty-Five Roses tank
barge, which is about the same size as the new barges and currently the largest
vessel in Harley’s Portland fleet.
“These vessels will be the ninth and tenth we’ve built for
Harley Marine,” Vigor Sales and Marketing Manager Bryan Nichols said. “We’re
glad we could earn this opportunity to help Harley expand their fleet. There’s
no higher compliment than repeat business.”
Keith Barnes, Harley Marine’s Director of Petroleum Barge
Operations, said Vigor has been “an excellent partner” in barge building over
the years.
“They consistently provide the quality craftsmanship we
depend on to serve our customers,” he said.
The first tank barge is scheduled for delivery in spring
2015, according to Vigor, with the second barge set for delivery in the summer
of 2015.