The Gunderson Marine division of Greenbrier has secured an order from Kirby Offshore Marine to construct an articulated ocean-going oil and chemical tank barge.

The strength of the shale energy markets in North America is continually growing, as is the call for Kirby’s tank barges.

Kirby claims its order will improve its existing fleet, which is ageing and unable to meet demands.

Construction work on the new barge is scheduled for June 2014 and it is expected to completed by 2015.

With a carrying capacity of 185,000 barrels, the 578ft tank barge will be one of the largest Gunderson Marine has produced.

Construction of the barge will bring Greenbrier’s current market back-log to around $70m.

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Located along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, the 75 acre Gunderson shipyard has the capacity to carry out four large tug barge projects per year.

It is easily accessible throughout the year by ocean-going vessels and two transcontinental railroads, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific.

Having started building ship and marine barges in 1942, Gunderson shipyard has developed 4,800 vessels and 300 barges, including deck cargo barges, hopper barges, roll-on/roll-off rail car barges, dump scows, Panamax size vessels and double-hull oil barges.

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