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Conrad Industries yesterday confirmed that its subsidiary Conrad Orange Shipyard has received its first order for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge for use in the North American market. The vessel would be the first barge built in North America to fuel ships with LNG.

The LNG bunker barge has been ordered by WesPac Midstream LLC for an undisclosed sum, and is intended to be initially used by WesPac Midstream's affiliate Clean Marine Energy in Tacoma, Washington, to service LNG-powered TOTE 'Marlin class' vessels. Ultimately the vessel is planned to be used in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Conrad press release follows a statement made towards the end of last month by WesPac Midstream confirming the construction contract.

The barge is scheduled to be built at Conrad Orange Shipyard in Orange, Texas. French engineering firm Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has licensed Conrad Orange Shipyard to equip the ship with its Mark III Flex cargo containment system. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2016.

Speaking in this week's statement, Conrad Industries CEO Johnny Conrad said: "Being a part of this project is an honor for Conrad Industries. This contract represents a first for our industry, and country. To have the opportunity to provide a Conrad barge to such innovative partners as WesPac, Clean Marine Energy, and in partnership with GTT is exciting for us, and demonstrates our organization's ability to produce a wide variety of sophisticated vessels for our customers."

Conrad Industries is headquartered in Morgan City, Louisiana. The company builds and designs a range of vessels including barges, ferries, liftboats, tugboats, and offshore supply vessels. Conrad Industries works at five shipyards in Texas and southern Louisiana.