MUSKEGON-BASED ANDRIE INC. HAS ENTERED INTO A LONG TERM CONTRACT WITH BP PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA TO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TANK BARGE WITH A STATE OF THE ART CARGO HEATING SYSTEM
MUSKEGON, Mich. – Effective April 1, 2007, Muskegon-based Andrie Inc. has signed a contract with Jeffboat LLC of Jeffersonville, Indiana to build a new asphalt barge. The barge will be ice-strengthened and capable of year round service on the Great Lakes, ocean and seaway transit.
“We’re very excited about this new project and our long term commitment to BP,” said Stan Andrie, President of Andrie Inc. “This addition to our fleet will allow us to continue to provide safe, reliable and environmentally friendly service.”
The new barge will carry approximately 8,000 tons of asphalt or 51,000 barrels of petroleum products. With a length of 360 feet by 60 feet wide and depth of 24 feet, the vessel will be capable of maintaining a cargo temperature of 290 degrees.
“The barge’s heating system will be far superior to other vessels in our market,” said Mike Caliendo, Vice President of Andrie Inc. “It will be able to not only maintain temperature, but will also be capable of raising the temperature of liquid asphalt cargos. Delivering product at higher temperatures will allow our customers to immediately sell their product.” In times of high demand, this is a major benefit in the asphalt industry.
Scheduled for delivery in February 2009, the barge will be under a long term charter to BP, and they will be the primary customer. In times where it is not working for BP, the barge will be available to serve other customers on the Great Lakes. The tug dedicated to this vessel will be the Karen Andrie, currently part of the Andrie fleet.
“This new contract gives us the opportunity to provide good, steady jobs for many years to come,” Andrie said. “We’re looking forward to serving BP and our other Great Lakes customers well into the future.”
Andrie Inc. is a midwest marine transportation and construction company. The company provides a wide range of services to local, regional, national and global customers.
For more information contact Stan Andrie (srandrie@andrie.com)
or call 1-231-728-2226 Ext. 227.
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