[LEFT]11:03 EDT 25 June - Kirby (KEX) is shifting barges from the New York Harbor area–which CEO Joe Pyne calls a “mess”–as sliding petrochemical production leaves too much transportation capacity chasing precious little cargo. KEX planning to move capacity to the Gulf Coast in search of higher margins. New York accounts for 15% to 20% of company’s barge count. KEX hits 52-week low after cutting 2Q guidance; now down 13.4% to $44.25. KEX has also been hit by the slump in shale gas exploration, as well as extra maintenance costs, low water on the Mississippi and production outages by a big chemical customer, though Pyne says he’s heard more chatter about destocking than actual concrete changes in demand.
Rumor is: Kirby is SO focused upon saving dimes that they actually sent an ATB on a coastwise tow with ANOTHER barge in tow on a hawser… from Philly to Galveston!
Imagine. If the vetters knew that a piece of equipment was towed (while the tug was already being used to push a barge upon an ocean voyage) that the company is using sketchy management to make up such ridiculous decisions!? I wonder what else the “management” at said company has been up to? Sounds like a substandard, less than professional outfit to me!
The full workboat article mentioned: “small sized ATB connections” One would wonder what exactly they meant by that? Could the JAK system be finally seen as what it is? A substandard connection for these types of installations?
[QUOTE=seadog!;72650]It was the Labrador Sea, pinned into one barge and had another on the wire.[/QUOTE]
I’ve been on tandem barge and tandem dead ship tows. On one dead ship tow, one of the shock lines parted and we had to chase down the ship and grab the emergency pick-up line. All of this on a tug with direct reversable engines with an old Seatrain ship on the other wire.
I don’t have any qualms sailing most anywhere with an Intercon pin system. But I don’t think I’d sleep well dragging a barge with it.
OH yes this is the same Joe Pyne and his infamous board of directors that about 12 years ago threw a fit and wanted nothing to do with any red flag offshore barge. Sold every one of them that Dixie Carriers had. They liked selling so much after that they even sold every dry bulk rig they had except the 4 on a life time contract with Florida power. I guess they figured they might want to hold onto that. Then they buy a company like K-sea out and want to cry about not making any money. I find humor in that.
Another thing I find irony in. One of the boats they sold 12 years ago with a red flag barge was the Dixie Avenger, sold it to Sea Coast, which then renamed it the Pacific Avenger, then got bought out by K-Sea, then Kirby winds up with one of there very own boats back 14 years later that they didn’t want in the first place. Maybe it is coming back to haunt them.
You are correct Cappy the mangemant at that corporation has been spiraling down hill every since they made the decision to buy the old Sea Skimmer/Dixie Commander. One of many decisions that leave you wondering what were they thinking???
[QUOTE=seadog!;72675]Latest AIS shows them at Kirby dock in Houston.[/QUOTE]
I still find this hard to believe. Especially with a 2400hp tug. You can bet your a$$ the vettors and underwriters wouldn’t allow this with a load.
I seriously doubt this type of operation would be tolerated by ANY outside oversight light OR loaded by a AWO/ ABS approved ‘responsible’ (hahaha) carrier.
And this forum is read by SO many, once the word gets out it won’t take long for them to find out… Oops… The words out already!
