en.Wedoany.com Reported - The C&C Marine and Repair shipyard in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, USA, announced that its robotic blasting and coating facility has completed blasting operations on over 700 barges, marking a significant milestone for the company's surface treatment operations. Commissioned in November 2018, the fully enclosed, climate-controlled facility spans 83,350 square feet and operates around the clock, serving inland marine customers by processing cargo barges, deck barges, and liquid cargo barges.
"Over 700 barges prove that anything is possible when you commit to improving technology instead of settling for the status quo," said company owner Tony Cibilich. "Customers entrust us with their valuable assets, and this facility was built to repay that trust—with faster turnaround, better coating quality, and zero weather delays." The facility is equipped with three automated blasting robots, each processing approximately 2,000 square feet per hour, taking about 36 hours to complete blasting on two standard cargo barges. The system applies automation technology to barge surface treatment.
The facility uses steel grit as the blasting medium, reportedly producing surface profile readings of 4.5 to 4.8 validated by NACE Level III inspectors, compared to 3.0 to 3.5 from traditional methods, helping to improve coating adhesion and extend service life. Its air filtration system captures over 99% of particulate matter, reducing runoff and overspray, and the steel grit medium can be recovered and reused multiple times. "Every barge returns to service faster and gains longer-lasting protection," said Blasting Operations Manager Mike Wade. "That's real value for our customers' bottom line." The company's Belle Chasse facility spans over 100 acres, featuring 500,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space, two dry docks, eight hydraulic transporters, and 3,200 feet of dock space, offering new construction, repair, conversion, and surface treatment services.
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