Bouchard Takes Delivery of Yet another ATB Unit

Bouchard Transportation Co. announced the delivery of ATB unit M/V Evening Breeze and Barge No. 252 (B. No. 252), respectively, from VT Halter Marine Inc. (VT Halter Marine) and Bollinger Shipyards.

M/V Evening Breeze left VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula Shipyard facility on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, and will meet and pair up with B. No. 252 before sailing to join Bouchard’s fleet service in New York.

The Evening Breeze is 4,000hp meeting U.S. EPA-Tier 4 requirements, measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, and equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Ronald Baczkowski, the Chief Executive Officer of VT Halter Marine stated, “We are pleased to build on our 37+ year relationship, designing and building quality, safe, industry leading tugs and barges for the Bouchard family. We thank Bouchard for the trust they place in VT Halter Marine and our talented group of tug and barge shipbuilders.”

Constructed by Bollinger Shipyards, the B. No. 252 is the sister vessel to the B. No. 250, measuring 317’6 feet by 70 feet by 28 feet. The B. No. 252 has a 55,000 barrel capacity, and will be used to transport clean petroleum products throughout the Jones Act Market.

Bollinger Shipyards President & CEO, Ben Bordelon said, “We are proud to continue to be a part of the great success of the Bouchard Family. Mr. Bouchard and his family continue to invest into the future by continuing to modernize its fleet. It is a great American story to have multiple generations of Bouchards continue on as leaders in our industry. On behalf of our many talented craftsmen down the bayou, the Bollinger team is thankful for the opportunity to build this Jones Act classed vessel for Bouchard Transportation. The Bollinger and Bouchard families have a long tradition of working together, and we appreciate the opportunity to further this tradition.”

The delivery of the M/V Evening Breeze & B. No. 252 represents Bouchard’s ongoing fleet expansion plan, as Bouchard continues to seek ways to invest profits into new and more advanced equipment. These Jones Act vessels include the newest modifications to the Intercon and pin system, as well as the most technologically advanced equipment in various spaces that are designed to reduce total emissions, thus ensuring a more eco-friendly fleet. The Evening Breeze is the first tug in Bouchard’s fleet with tier 4 engines.

Upon taking delivery, Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. President & CEO, Morton S. Bouchard III said, “Continuously maintaining and advancing our equipment has always been our top priority. We are excited to welcome a new 55,000 BBL clean oil barge to our fleet, as well as our first tug with tier 4 engines. Our Safety First philosophy remains at the forefront of our operation, and the M/V Evening Breeze & B. No. 252 are strong representations of VT Halter Marine and Bollinger Shipyard’s ability to help advance our fleet with the most innovative technologies. Our relationship with both VT Halter Marine & Bollinger Shipyards goes back decades, and I am very thankful for all of the hard work and talent that their teams have put into producing another cutting edge ATB unit for Bouchard.”