Lockport, LA . . . March 24, 2010 - Bollinger Algiers, L.L.C., and Bollinger Amelia Repair, L.L.C., two Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. companies, have redelivered the double hull asphalt Barge B. No. 235, a 133,000 barrel (BBL) Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90) compliant tank barge and accompanying tug, J. George Betz, a 6140 horsepower oceangoing tug, back into service for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., Melville, NY as an Articulated Tug/Barge (ATB) unit.

In an effort to continue upgrading their fleet, Bouchard contracted with Bollinger Shipyards to upgrade both the tank barge B. No. 235 and the oceangoing Tug J. George Betz to better serve Bouchard’s customer base, increasing the safety and efficiencies of the barge and tug as an articulated unit.
Bollinger’s Executive Vice-President of Repair, Ben Bordelon, made the announcement saying, "We are very pleased to once again be part of Bouchard’s continued efforts to upgrade their fleet. The work schedules of Bollinger Algiers and Bollinger Amelia Repair were able to accommodate both upgrades concurrently for the strategic conversion of the B. No. 235 and the Tug J. George Betz. These projects enabled Bollinger to capitalize on the capabilities of our facilities to produce a quality product, which met Bouchard’s schedule in a safe and timely manner. We look forward to working with Bouchard on future projects.”

The Barge B. No 235 was taken out of service and delivered to Bollinger’s Amelia facility to install the Intercon connection system and upgrade the barge with a full ballast system. During the conversion process, the barge also completed its regulatory docking and permitting process prior to successfully completing builder’s trials. Returning to full service as an ATB asphalt capable tank barge, the barge measures 483’ x 80’ x 36’2” without the tug coupled into the notch.
At the same time that the Barge B. No 235 was taken out of service, the accompanying tug, J. George Betz, was delivered to the Bollinger Algiers facility to install the Intercon connection system, upgrade the vessels electronics systems as well as complete regulatory docking and permitting with The American Bureau of Shipping.  When returned to service, the 127’ x 37’ x 20’, 6140 BHP tug will be able to lock into the barge for safe, efficient sailing as an articulated unit.
Morton S. Bouchard, III, President/CEO of Bouchard Affiliates (Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. / Bouchard Ocean Services) said, "Bouchard continues to upgrade our fleet to better service our customers and increase safety and efficiency. The M/V J. George Betz and B. No. 235 conversion to intercon and segregated ballast is the first of three upgrades which we hope to complete in the future. I would like to thank the men and women of Bollinger for another successful project and look forward to future contracts with the Bollinger companies.”

After completing builder’s trials, the vessels departed to take on its first load of product as an ATB unit.
Founded in 1918, Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., (www.bouchardtransport.com) is a total service oil barging company. The Bouchard fleet includes 23 barges ranging from 35,000 BBL to 252,000 BBL and 19 tugs with power ratings from 3,000 to 10,000 horsepower. They serve the U. S. East, Gulf and West Coasts, the Great Lakes, and the Caribbean.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., (www.bollingershipyards.com) owns and operates 12 shipyards strategically located between New Orleans and Houston with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River and Intracoastal Waterway.  Bollinger is a leading provider of new construction and other services to offshore energy, commercial and government marine markets and is the largest vessel repair/conversion company in the Gulf of Mexico region with a total of 32 dry-docks in Louisiana and Texas.