Overseas Shipholding Group and Gunderson Marine announce major new vessel build
Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., a provider of energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in the U.S. Flag markets, has signed a binding contract with Gunderson Marine LLC (“Gunderson Marine”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (“Greenbrier”), for the construction of one 204,000 barrel capacity oil and chemical tank barge for dual mode ITB service pursuant to U.S. Coast Guard NVIC 2-81, Change 1, for anticipated delivery to OSG during the second quarter of 2020. This barge will be constructed at Gunderson’s Portland, Oregon building facilities and will be built to comply with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13 Tier III standards regarding nitrogen oxide emissions within emission control areas. The state-of-the-art 581’ tank barge is among the largest in the history of Gunderson Marine, with origins on the Willamette River in Portland dating to 1919.
OSG intends that the vessel, following delivery, will be registered under the U.S. Flag with a coastwise endorsement, allowing it to be employed in Jones Act trades. The barge will be constructed to pair with existing tugs within OSG’s current fleet for operation as an articulated tug barge or ATB unit. The agreement with Gunderson Marine also provides OSG with an option to construct a second sister barge which would have a scheduled delivery date during the 4th quarter of 2020.
“The Gunderson Marine contract for construction of a new barge is an exciting development for OSG,” said Sam Norton, OSG’s President and CEO. “This transaction represents the first significant new capital investment into our Jones Act businesses in nearly a decade and is an affirmation of our commitment to operate ATBs, as well as tankers, within this market. Following on from the two tanker contracts announced earlier this month, this additional newbuild initiative underscores our leading presence in the U.S. Flag petroleum transportation sector. We look forward to the contribution that this effort will make to our long-term success.”
About Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc.
Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. is a publicly traded company providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in the U.S. Flag markets. OSG is a major operator of tankers and ATBs in the Jones Act industry. OSG’s 23-vessel U.S. Flag fleet consists of seven ATBs, two lightering ATBs, three shuttle tankers, nine MR tankers, and two non-Jones Act MR tankers that participate in the U.S. MSP. OSG is committed to setting high standards of excellence for its quality, safety and environmental programs. OSG is recognized as one of the world’s most customer-focused marine transportation companies and is headquartered in Tampa, FL.