Conrad to build crane barge, deck barges for Corps

Conrad Shipyard has been awarded a contract to build a 300’x68’ crane barge and a pair of deck barges for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A rendering of the crane barge Conrad Shipyard will build for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The new crane barge will enter service in the Corps’ Rock Island (Ill.) District to support maintenance of the inland navigation system. The vessel will be classified ABS Maltese Cross A1, Floating Crane-Intra-Coastal Waterways Service, and Reinforcement B with crane register certificate.

Conrad will build the crane barge at its Morgan City, La. shipyard.

"This project is right in our wheelhouse as we’ve been delivering quality vessels to the Army Corps of Engineers for more than 20 years," Conrad President and CEO Johnny Conrad said in a statement. "We value this longstanding relationship and appreciate the Army Corps’ continued confidence in the quality, craftsmanship, integrity and service that are the foundation of Conrad Shipyard.”

The crane barge is designed with a deckhouse and crew support area, generator room, shop area, office, and heads. Below deck will enclose machinery spaces, storage areas and tankage.

In early September, Conrad was awarded a Corps’ contract to build two deck barges for the Corps Mobile (Ala.) District that will be used for lock maintenance and construction. The deck barges will be built at Conrad’s Orange, Texas, shipyard.