Posted on August 17, 2026
C&C Marine and Repair has delivered a new 160-foot, unmanned steel idler barge to Orion Marine Construction to support its dredging operations. The barge was designed by The Shearer Group and is intended to connect with both new and existing dredges in Orion’s fleet.
The barge’s key feature is an integrated walking-spud system that allows the combined dredge-and-idler-barge unit to advance approximately 30 feet per cycle. The system includes a traveling spud carrier, fixed stern spud, dedicated spud towers, electrically powered hoisting winches, and a push-pull winch for longitudinal repositioning.
Orion worked directly with C&C Marine during construction to make modifications tailored to its operational requirements. Construction was completed in approximately eight months.
The delivery highlights C&C Marine’s expanding capabilities in the domestic dredging market. The company has also built cutter suction dredges, booster barges, towboats, anchor barges, crane barges, dredge-support vessels and other specialized marine equipment.
