New Tugs and Tank Barges

Hornbeck Offshore's tugs and tank barges serve the northeastern U.S., the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes by transporting both clean and dirty petroleum products to and from refineries and distribution terminals. In 2008, the company's second tug and tank barge (TTB) new-build program will be completed. The program has consisted of vessel construction and conversion contracts with three domestic shipyards to build three tank barges and retrofit four ocean-going tugs. These additional vessels add to one of the youngest collections of double hulled offshore rate barges in the industry.

Tugs and Tank Barges

Generally, a tug and tank barge work together as a "tow" to transport petroleum products. The tank barges carry “clean” products, such as gasoline, home heating oil, diesel fuel and jet fuel as well as “dirty” products such as crude oils, residual crudes and feedstocks, heavy fuel oils and asphalts.

Delivery of two of the three 60,000-barrel double-hulled tank barges (Energy 6506 and 6507) were made in 2007. The third barge (Energy 6508) was delivered in the first quarter of 2008. The barges are approximately 362 feet in length with 12 cargo tanks for a total capacity of 60,000 barrels.

Four 3,000 horsepower ocean-going tugs were purchased in July 2006 for conversion and retrofit. Two of the 3,000 HP boats were completed in the third quarter of 2007. The other two tugs will be delivered in 2008, including both their conversion and repowering to 3,600 Horsepower.

Features

Each tug and barge unit has been specifically designed to include state-of-the-art features and abilities. Some of the features of the tugs and barges include:

• Sophisticated multi-cargo handling systems
• Epoxy tank coatings to promote cargo integrity and long asset life
• Centralized cargo control station to facilitate complex blending operations
• State of the art pumping systems
• Advanced capability tank stripping and self cleaning systems
• New generation high capacity bow thrusters for docking and undocking minimize the need and expense of assist vessels
• Deep pushing notch to optimize efficiently with mated tug
• Comfortable crew quarters and office to maximize crew comfort and performance
• Heavy duty mooring and anchoring systems and lightering fendering to assure maintaining the vessels' position in extreme conditions

The addition of 3 tank barges and 4 tugs will add to Hornbeck Offshore's Fleet, and have been well received by their initial charterers.

For more information about Hornbeck Offshore's Fleet, call (985) 727-2000 or visit www.hornbeckoffshore.com/vessel_overview.html.