Canadian fuel supply company Wolverine Terminals has begun operating two newly acquired barges to support operations at the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia.
Designed by local naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd, the new barges include the 142-metre long transloading barge Wolverine Spirit 1 and the 78-metre long lightering barge Wolverine Spirit 2.
The transloading barge can accommodate up to 24 rail tank-cars while the lightering barge has a capacity of approximately 30,000 barrels of liquid cargo for eventual transfer to ocean-going vessels.
The transloading barge will incorporate a double hull, cargo handling equipment, tank heating, spill prevention and recovery equipment, and onboard and shore power availability at the operating facilities.
The lightering barge is highly similar in design to other marine fuel distribution barges operating in the Port of Vancouver and other west coast ports. The design also incorporates a double hull, cargo handling equipment, tank heating, spill prevention and recovery equipment, on-board power generation, and operating facilities.
Both barges are fully compliant with Transport Canada regulations and are classed for their service with Lloyd’s Register. Attention has been paid to keep all potential sources of emissions low, with IMO Tier III-compliant exhausts equipped with after-treatment, silencing for all diesel-fired machinery, vapour recovery for the cargo systems, and low-intensity lighting.