Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair, Erie, PA, was recently awarded a contract by Sterling Equipment of Quincy, MA, to construct two 225 ft x 42 ft x 12 ft hopper barges, with an option for a third. Delivery of the barges is to be made by the middle to end of August 2013.
“Winning this contract is an exciting development for Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair," says John A. Witte Jr., Executive Vice President - Salvage/Marine Operations. "In the tradition of Donjon Marine, we will put our considerable experience to work building these new barges to the highest standards. This new build is evidence of how we are inspiring confidence in our customers, growing our shipyard business and bringing more jobs to the Erie area.”
Sterling Equipment can handle a variety of waterborne transportation needs. Photo shows transport of steel beams for the Sakonnet River Bridge project in 2010
Sterling Equipment provides equipment rentals to the construction industry. Its Marine Division has a fleet of barges ranging in size from 90 to 300 ft, both inland and ABS-classed, as well as tugs, with horsepower from 250 to 2,200.
Last year, SEAJON, LLC, a partnership between SEACOR Holdings Inc. and Donjon Marine Inc. christened the 34,000-ton self-unloading Articulated Tug Barge unit Ken Booth Sr. and Lakes Contender at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair's facility.  The ATB was the first of its kind built in Erie since 1972.
The shipyard equipped with 1,250 ft. by 120 ft. by 22 ft. dry dock, is one of the largest shipyards of its kind on the Great Lakes. The facility includes 4,000 ft. of pier space and more than 200,000 square ft. of production area, with fully enclosed fabrication and assembly buildings housing fully automated cutting, fabrication, and coating equipment sufficient to build and maintain everything from deck barges to ocean-going ships.