Arctic Directory: Crowley christens and launches newest deck barge

Crowley said May 20 that its newest heavy-lift series deck barge 455-5 was christened and launched at Gunderson Marine Shipyard in Portland, Ore.

It is the latest in a bevy of new vessel deliveries for Crowley this year.

The 400-foot-long by 105-foot-wide heavy-lift barge will be used to transport the world’s largest land-based drilling rig for Parker Drilling and BP.

“We are pleased to be able to continue providing services to customers doing offshore project work with the introduction of the barge 455-5,” said Bruce Harland, vice president of contract services for Crowley in Alaska. “This christening and continuous construction of new vessels is evidence of our commitment to our customers who have a need for new, large-sized, high-capacity barges.”

Crowley’s heavy-lift 45 series deck barges with 25-foot side shells provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate larger drilling and production units used for deepwater offshore energy exploration and development. They provide increased deck strength for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot.