OSG Orders New Jones Act Tank Barge at Gunderson Marine

File Photo: Overseas Shipholding Group

U.S.-flag tanker company Overseas Shipholding Group announced Tuesday it has signed a shipbuilding contract Gunderson Marine for the construction of one 204,000 barrel capacity oil and chemical tank barge.

The barge will be constructed at Gunderson’s Portland, Oregon building facilities and will be built to comply with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13 Tier III standards regarding nitrogen oxide emissions within emission control areas.

The state-of-the-art 581’ tank barge will be among the largest ever built by Gunderson Marine, with origins on the Willamette River in Portland dating to 1919.

Delivery of the barge is anticipated during the second quarter of 2020.

Following delivery, OSG intends to registered the vessel under the U.S. Flag with a coastwise endorsement, allowing it to be employed in Jones Act trades.

The barge will be constructed to pair with existing tugs within OSG’s current fleet for operation as an articulated tug barge or ATB unit. The agreement with Gunderson Marine also provides OSG with an option to construct a second sister barge which would have a scheduled delivery date during the 4th quarter of 2020.

“The Gunderson Marine contract for construction of a new barge is an exciting development for OSG,” said Sam Norton, OSG’s President and CEO. “This transaction represents the first significant new capital investment into our Jones Act businesses in nearly a decade and is an affirmation of our commitment to operate ATBs, as well as tankers, within this market. Following on from the two tanker contracts announced earlier this month, this additional newbuild initiative underscores our leading presence in the U.S. Flag petroleum transportation sector. We look forward to the contribution that this effort will make to our long-term success.”