Gunderson books big barge order

Gunderson Marine division in Portland, Oregon, has signed contracts with Vessel Management Services, a subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corporation, to build 10 heavy lift series deck cargo barges for delivery by 2012.

The deck cargo barges measure 400 feet in length and 105 feet wide. They are equipped with a massive deck loading capability and can be used in a variety of services including construction, salvage, oil and gas development, and container transportation. Crowley will deploy the barges to handle project work for the offshore energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.