The Seattle divisions of Vigor Fab and Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) today announced that the 15,000-bbl. tank barge Global Pilot has been delivered to Maxum Petroleum.

Designed to balance performance with fabrication cost, the 15,000-bbl. tank barge features a recessed machinery space aft for improved visibility and a state-of-the-art tankerman’s office. It also has dimensionally identical cargo tanks, corrugated plate tank bulkheads and plate seams arranged to maximize material usage of standard 8' and 10' plates.

"The ability to collaborate closely with Elliott Bay and Maxum throughout this project was the perfect model for an efficient new build," said Bryan Nichols, director of sales at Vigor Fab. "Our Seattle shipbuilding team is extremely proud to have fabricated a quality barge which will expand Maxum's multiple supply capacity in the Puget Sound for years to come."

"We've been looking forward to seeing the final product," stated Mike Complita, EBDG's vice president of shipyard services. "It's always exciting when a new design becomes reality and goes into service."

The 15,000-bbl. tank barge is one of several barges that have been delivered by Vigor to EBDG's designs over the past decade. EBDG provided the contract design to Maxum and provided production support services to Vigor.