In a statement the New York-listedoperator said the unit will include a 185,000-barrel tank barge and 10,000-hptug that will cost between $75m and $80m in total.
Kirby noted the ATB will be chartered to“a major customer” for up to five years upon delivery in 2015 but failed toidentify the shipyard or other counterparties involved in the deal by name.
"With the coastal fleet utilization around90%, increasing demand for the coastwise movements of crude and natural gascondensate, and continued progress in expanding our coastal business to inlandcustomers, new capacity is needed to meet demand,” added chief executive JoePyne.
“The 185,000 barrel ATB unit has the flexibilityto access ports that restrict larger vessels, while still delivering largevolumes of product for our customer."
Pyne made headlines a few months backwhen he warned against speculative Jones Act ATB and product tanker orders amidconcerns that newcomers seduced by the shale oil revolution and subsequentspike in freight rates would disrupt the balance of a fragile market.
