$ 2 . 5 - M i l l i o n Expansion Planned For Cargo Carriers' Barge Yard

Cargo Carriers, Inc., a water transportation subsidiary of Cargill Incorporated of Minneapolis, recently announced plans to spend about $2.5 million to increase bargebuilding capabilities 50 percent at its plant in Pine Bluff, Ark.

When the project is completed in late fall 1980, the barge-manufacturing facility will be able to produce about 150 barges annually, said Cargo Carriers president Addison Douglass. The plant now builds about 100 barges a year for its own fleet and for other companies in the water transportation industry.

The expansion will create 100 new jobs at the plant, which now employs more than 200 people. Annual payroll will increase to about $5 million from its current $3.5-million level.

Construction of the 38,000-square-foot expansion was started in May this year. The project will include installation of two 50-ton cranes that will permit the facility to perform operations not currently possible, and the addition of a hydraulic brake press capable of bending pieces of steel up to 54 feet long.

Founded in 1930, Cargo Carriers charters, owns, and operates warehouses, docks, towboats, and a fleet of more than 400 barges.

Since December 1973, it has produced singlerake and box barges at the existing 65,000- square-foot plant located on 15.4 acres in the Harbor Industrial District of Pine Bluff. The facility manufacturers 195-foot and 200-foot barges capable of transporting up to 1,600 tons of dry cargo.

Other stories from June 1980 issue

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.