Conrad Shipyard of Morgan City, Louisiana, has been awarded a contract by the US Navy for the design and construction of up to eight yard, repair, berthing and messing (YRBM) barges.
The fixed-price contract has a potential value of over US$140 million.
Conrad expects to deliver the first YRBM barge to the navy in late 2023. If the navy exercises options for the additional barges, peak production will occur from 2023 through 2025.
Each 151- by 49-foot (46- by 14-metre) barge will provide pierside living accommodations capable of berthing 199 mixed gender personnel and messing for 300 personnel. There will also be spaces for medical offices, classrooms, workspaces, laundry rooms, storerooms, and lounge areas.