The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District awarded an $8.4 million firm-fixed-price contract to Conrad Shipyard LLC, of Morgan City, Louisiana, for the purchase of a steel-hulled deck barge, June 3, 2025.
The steel-hulled deck barge is to be used as a landing barge to support the new stringout at the Ensley Engineer Yard maintenance facility.
It will be used for access onto the new stringout,” Project Manager Jacob Storz explained. “The loading and unloading of equipment refers to it being the barge that equipment will first land on when transitioning from the ramp to the stringout barges. All utilities for the new stringout will run through the ramp to the landing barge out to the connected Poseidon Barges.”
Storz is the project manager overseeing the larger construction project to restore the facility’s stringout, something he says is essential for Ensley Engineer Yard.
“Some of the barges being replaced are over 100 years old,” Storz added. “The reason the old stringout is still useful is because of all of the hard work that our Operations Division skilled tradesmen and women put in to constantly modify it along with the regularly changing water levels.”
Reaching contract award milestones on time and within budget is crucial to USACE's project delivery success, as it allows the project to proceed with the designated contractor and start work on the agreed-upon scope of work.
Adding to the award’s significance, Storz said this acquisition was a major step towards completing the overall stringout renovation project.
“It is the last piece of GFE that had to be awarded before the stringout construction contract could be awarded,” he said. “We are currently awaiting the last of the funding for the stringout to go out for solicitation.”
In addition to the massive support provided by our skilled tradesman and women, Storz extended his praise to the Memphis District Contracting Team as well.
“This contract award was required by the contractor working on the stringout renovation, so when others were unable to get it awarded as quickly as needed, our contracting team stepped up and committed to getting it done faster,” Storz said. “The Memphis District Contracting Team knocked it out of the park and absolutely delivered!”
As of June 6, work is underway with a completion date slated for Dec. 10, 2026.
Steel-hulled deck barges are commonly used for transporting various types of cargo, including pipe, piling, fabricated structures, and various equipment. These barges may also serve as work platforms by providing space for marine construction activities, such as pier or bridge building, dredging, and offshore operations. Finally, these steel-hulled deck barges may be used to support logistics and operations in remote or shallow areas where full operation of larger vessels may not be suitable.
Ensley Engineer Yard is a full-service marine facility that keeps a variety of equipment, supplies, and people ready to go on a moment's notice, whether for routine work or emergency response contingencies. Primarily a shipyard, Ensley Engineer Yard includes repair shops, warehouses, storage yards and administrative offices.
Designed to support the navigation and flood control missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, Ensley Engineer Yard has become more than just a marine maintenance center for the district. Flexibility, innovation, and a strong commitment to meeting customer needs are all hallmarks of work produced by Ensley Engineer Yard and its staff of professionals.
For more information, please visit the USACE Memphis District website at www.mvm.usace.army.mil.