The Port of South Louisiana has opened bidding for the construction of a new hydrogen fueling barge designed to handle e-methanol and other Grade C flammable liquid cargoes.
Sealed bids will be accepted until 10 a.m. CST on Aug. 28, 2025, either at the port’s administrative office in Reserve, La., or online through Central Bidding. A mandatory pre-bid conference was held on Aug. 19 at the port’s headquarters.
According to the port’s notice, the vessel will be a non-self-propelled, double-hulled steel barge built with the longitudinal system of framing. The design includes five main cargo tank pairs, a pump house above the fourth tank pair, and a starboard amidships office. Space is also reserved at both ends of the barge for four equipment lockers.
The barge will measure 297'x54'x18'6". At full load, the barge is expected to draw 12.5’ and have a cargo tank capacity of 28,900 bbls at 95% capacity. Cargo deadweight is listed at 3,600 long tons, with gross tonnage under 5,000.
Loading capability is specified at 6,000 bbls per hour, with discharge capacity of 1,000 gals. per minute (gpm) to a single vessel or 500 gpm to two vessels simultaneously. The completed vessel will be certified by the Coast Guard for the carriage of methanol and built to comply with applicable federal regulations, the port said.
The project is partially funded through a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant awarded under the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development. The port said the project falls under its “H2 the Future” initiative.
Contractors will be required to meet all local, state, and federal requirements outlined in the bid documents. Performance and payment bonds equal to 100% of the contract price will also be required.
Bid documents and specifications are available through Central Auction House, which will also manage electronic submittals.
