Southwest Shipyard Wins Corps Crane Barge Contract

Southwest Shipyard, Houston, Texas, received an $11.4 million contract from the Detroit Engineer District to construct a new crane barge for the St. Marys River.

“The new crane barge will perform critical lock and hydropower facility maintenance at the Soo Project Office (Soo Locks),” said Justin Proulx, chief of the St. Marys River Section. “Additionally, the new vessel will support channel maintenance and will be ready to respond to critical maritime incidents on the St Marys River, such as vessel groundings and anchor drags.”

The contract includes the final design, construction, testing and delivery of the new crane.

Southwest Shipyard is a small business and operates four shipyards along the Texas Gulf Coast. Southwest will construct the new crane barge at its Brady Island shipyard with delivery expected in the fall of 2024.

Caption for photo: New crane barge to be built at Southwest Shipyard’s Brady Island facility for the Detroit Engineer District.