Bourg, LA - May 2026 - Another vessel has moved through construction for Hines Furlong Line, Inc., with the M/V Bob Nienhuis built at Intracoastal Iron Works in Bourg, Louisiana as part of the company’s ongoing 11-boat program.
The 2,400 horsepower vessel measuring 78’ x 34’ x 10’ is configured with a triple-screw propulsion system powered by three Mitsubishi S6R2 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 RPM. The build also includes two Laborde-supplied generator sets, each rated at 65 kW, supporting onboard electrical systems and providing a consistent auxiliary power configuration across the vessel series.
The Bob Nienhuis joins a growing list of vessels already completed under the program, including the M/V Donny Mudgett, M/V Sun Valley, M/V Oxford, and M/V Sawtooth. As additional boats move through construction, the program continues to center on a shared platform across propulsion and auxiliary power.
For Hines Furlong Line, that consistency is not just a matter of preference. Building multiple vessels around the same foundation creates a more disciplined and consistent approach to maintenance, operation, and long-term fleet management.
“When you’re building a series like this, the last thing you want is for every boat to become its own case,” said Karl Morley, Senior Engineer of New Construction & Leased Vessels at Hines Furlong Line, Inc. “We want the same core setup under these vessels so they run the way we
expect, they can be maintained the same way, and our crews know what they’re stepping onto.”
Laborde Products supplied both the main engines and generator sets and worked with Intracoastal Iron Works and Hines Furlong Line throughout the build. The propulsion and power package carries through the broader program, supporting the same approach from one vessel
to the next.
“This kind of build only works when the package holds together across the series,” said Bradley Matte, Sales Representative at Laborde Products. “The engines and generator sets were selected to fit the application, but just as important, they were selected to stay consistent from boat to boat.”
About Laborde Products
Laborde Products keeps workboats working by acting as an extension of your crew. From Mitsubishi marine engines to local service and application support, the team stays close to your operation with the training, parts, and expertise needed to keep schedules on track.
About Intracoastal Iron Works
Intracoastal Iron Works, based in Bourg, Louisiana, has been building vessels for inland waterways since 1989. The yard focuses on towboats and related vessels serving operators across the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River systems.
About Hines Furlong Line, Inc.
Hines Furlong Line is a family-owned company with five generations of experience navigating the inland waterways of the United States. With more than 150 years of river heritage, HFL blends tradition with agility to deliver reliable and efficient transportation services across multiple
divisions, including boat and barge leasing, fully found (crewed) charters, barge towing and fleeting, harbor, shipyard, and tank barge and tankerman services. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with hubs in Paducah, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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