Progressive Barge Lines Building

Located at Westwego on the West Bank of the Mississippi across from New Orleans, Progressive Barge Lines is established in the local bunkering business. Recently they have also been pushing barges along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Initially this was to move fuel for their own account but they have also been doing some contract work. As they moved out from the New Orleans area, service for the engines that they used in their five-boat fleet had become an issue. When they decided to build a new 2400 HP 75 by 28-ft. push boat they chose a pair of Cummins KTA38-M2 engines for power. The 1200 hp continuous duty rating met their power requirements but more importantly the service network along the inland waterways assured prompt service when required. The boat is designed to handle two of the company’s 30,000-barrel tank barges. Progressive’s own crew are building the new towboat in a space along the Harvey Ship Canal.