Believed to be the largest barge ever built in the U.S., the 640-foot Belcher 102 (shown above) was launched recently at the Galveston Shipbuilding Company yard in Galveston, Texas. To be employed in the U.S. coastal transportation of petroleum products, this double-skinned barge has a cargo capacity of 412,000 barrels, or 55,000 dwt.
With dimensions of 640 feet by 105 feet and a depth of 48 feet, the Belcher 102 is equipped with five deepwell cargo pumps, two ballast pumps, and a circulating hot oil cargo heating system with 10 million Btus capacity.
The pushing notch on this barge with dimensions of 55 feet wide by 115 feet deep will accommodate a single-screw, 15,000-bhp tug with a B&W diesel that burns heavy fuel oil. Also, Belcher 102 is equipped with a 1,000-hp M&T bow thruster unit.