- VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), proudly launched the Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) tug Kim M. Bouchard, the first of two ATB tugs under a major expansion program for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. (Bouchard). The launch was held at the Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi, on February 26, 2015. 

 The 10,000hp twin screw ATB tug is classed by ABS as XA1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter M, is equipped with Intercon Coupler Systems, and will pair up with Barge B. No. 270. The barge measures 625 feet by 91 feet by 47 feet and has a 250,000-barrel capacity. Used to transport liquid petroleum, the barge is ABS and USCG certified for Jones Act service. 

 Construction of this unit began January 2014 with delivery scheduled for June 2015. This unit will enter into Bouchard's fleet service in New York, N.Y. 

 "Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., is pleased to announce that the Kim M. Bouchardwas successfully launched on February 26, 2015, at VT Halter Marine's Moss Point Marine facility," said Morton S. Bouchard III, President/CEO, Bouchard Transportation.  "The Kim Bouchardwill be joined up with the B. No. 270, also being built at VT Halter Marine.  Bouchard has six vessels being built there and looks forward to future successful launchings." 

 "It is with great pride that we launch another quality-built tug today, the Kim M. Bouchard, for our long-time customer, the Bouchard Family," said Bill Skinner, Chief Executive Officer, VT Halter Marine.  "We look forward to joining her with Barge B. No. 270, as this is one of the most efficiently built ATB units for Jones Act trade."

VT Halter Marine is the marine operations of VT Systems. Based in Pascagoula, Miss., it is a leader in the design and construction of medium-sized ships in theUnited States. VT Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels and survey vessels.www.vthaltermarine.com.

VT Systemsis an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems' innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering.www.vt-systems.com.

Media contacts:
Leslie Rose
Corporate Communications
VT Halter Marine
Phone:  (1) 228 696 6860
Fax:       (1) 228 696 6899
Email:   corporatecommunications@vthaltermarine.com

Edward Szeto
Manager, Corporate Communications
VT Systems
Phone:  (1) 703 739 2610
Fax:       (1) 703 739 2611
Email:   eszeto@vt-systems.com
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