A Nashville-based cargo shipping company has announced production of a new fleet of barges next year.
Ingram Barge Company announced today their plans to build 20 new tank barges in 2015.
While most of the company’s recent tank barges have come through acquisitions, this continued expansion in their barge fleet coincides with a 10-year plan that began in 2007 to build barges with Trinity Industries and maintain fleet size even as current barges reach retirement age.
The new barges are also in response to a growing demand for chemical shipments brought on by inexpensive natural gas prices.
Ingram Barge CEO Orrin Ingram says the upcoming investment would provide more barges for the petrochemical industry throughout the inland river system.
“The petrochemical industry remains strong and is one of our strategic areas for investment,” said Ingram. “We’re building to replace retiring barges and to grow with our customers.”
Overall, Ingram has nearly 5,000 barges transporting dry cargo such as coal, grain, fertilizers and steel on waterways throughout the region.
