Manitowoc Awarded Contract by Moran Towing

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. announced that Moran Towing Corporation has awarded Manitowoc Marine Group a follow-on contract for construction of two ocean- class, double-hull, hot oil tank barges. The vessels, which will be built by its Bay Shipbuilding Co. (BSC) subsidiary, are identical to a pair of tank barges that BSC constructed and delivered to Moran in 2004 and 2005. Measuring 425 feet in length by 78 feet in width, Moran's newest tank barges will be configured with ten cargo compartments that provide a 100% cubic capacity of 118,836 barrels of petroleum products. The barges will also feature an onboard heating system to maintain consistent cargo temperatures of 135 degrees F. A stern notch and Intercon coupling system will link each barge to a customer-supplied tug. Vessel deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2008.