Singapore, 15 February 2013– ST Engineering announced that its US shipyard, VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine) has won a shipbuilding contract, from Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. (Bouchard) to build an Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) unit.

The contract comes with an option for an additional unit which has a validity of 60 days from the contract date.

The barge measures 625 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet and has a 250,000-barrel capacity. It will be used to transport liquid petroleum. The barge will be American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) certified for Jones Act service.

The 10,000hp twin screw ATB tug, classed by ABS as XA1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, USCG Sub-chapter M, will be equipped with an Interconnected Coupler System.

Construction of the barge will begin in April 2013 at VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula facility, with delivery scheduled in mid 2015. This unit will enter into Bouchard’s fleet service in New York.

“We are very pleased to be able to embark on another shipbuilding contract with Bouchard Transportation, whom we have worked with since 1970s. Having built a long-term partnership with Bouchard, we understand the company’s needs and are confident of delivering another quality ATB built unit to their satisfaction,” said Ng Sing Chan, President, ST Marine