Tips & Advice Posts

A push boat is an excellent option for pushing barges in inland waterways and rivers. It has a square bow with large plates mounted to it to allow for efficient pushing. Additionally, it has a shallow draft and usually comes with knees as well. All in all, push boats are engineered to offer the force and stability needed to successfully transport a wide variety of types of barges. If you’re in the market for a push boat, you may have noticed that there are quite a few options out there. Luckily, there are considerations you can make to narrow down your choices and find the right boat for you. Below is a simple checklist to help you do that:Get the right amount of horsepower. Push boats usually come with two diesel engines that offer between around 800 and 4,000 hp (combined). The more power, the faster the push boat will accelerate and travel on water, and added speed can translate to quicker completion of projects. On the other hand, you don’t want to invest in a boat that has more power than you need because it will probably burn through gas faster than more efficient, lower hp alternatives. Figure out how much hp your projects necessitate, and look for push boats in that range. The average push boat clocks in with around 1,200 to 1,500 hp, which can be the sweet spot for many buyers.Consider capacities. Things like fuel capacity, lube capacity, and water capacity can all make a difference once you’re on the water with a push boat. And these capacities can differ quite greatly among different models of push boats, even comparable models in other regards. One 1,000 hp push boat may only offer 7,000 gallons of fuel capacity, while another 1,000 hp push boat may offer 10,000, for instance. This may not seem like that big of a difference on paper, but it can be pretty significant in terms of how often you have to refuel. Generally, the higher the capacities, the better.Make sure all mechanical parts are in good working order. For push boats, this includes things like bearers and rudders, air compressors, electric/hydraulic steering systems, propellers, winches, etc. If a push boat is fairly advanced in age, make sure these parts have been inspected recently. If they’ve been repaired and are relatively new, even if a boat is older, this can be a sign that the push boat is a solid investment.Get the right amenities for your crew members. Some push boats come with things like sleeping accommodations for crew members, work stations, and pilot houses. If you know you’ll be using the push boat for long haul projects, these accommodations can be a major plus, offering your crew members the extra space they need to rest and comfortably work. Other extras like GPS and communication devices can also be an added advantage that ultimately can increase the overall value the push boat adds to your operations. Some push boats even come with useful equipment like cranes, which can also boost their versatility while on the job and make them more attractive buying options.Get a good idea of overall quality. Unless you’re willing to make repairs or refurbish a push boat that you purchase for a bargain price, quality should be a priority. In addition to inspecting mechanical parts, look for signs of damage, corrosion, rust, etc. on the interior and exterior of potential boats. If it looks like a push boat hasn’t been taken care of well, exploring another option may be your best bet.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace hosts a wide variety of marine equipment, including used push boats, used tug boats, and much more. Additionally, our construction material inventory ranges from used HDPE pipe, to used crane mats, and everything in between.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Wide flange beams are named due to their shape. The parallel sides of the beam are known as flanges, and these are manufactured so that they’re wider than I-beams, hence the name wide flange. Wide flange beams have excellent weight bearing capacity and are resistant to bending and twisting. Because wide flange beams can bear excessive amounts of pressure, they ensure a building’s structural integrity and stability. Wide flange beams are commonly used as structural support materials in buildings, columns, beams and bridges.

Process of Manufacturing and Rolling Wide Flange Beams

Wide flange beams are produced through a process called rolling or caliber rolling. Caliber rolling is conducted in the roughing stage of beam formation. First, steel is rolled by caliber rolls in order to create the same cross-sectional shape as that of the rolls. This process is called “rolling” because the beam blank (the unformed length of steel) is heated and then “rolled out,” similar to how dough is rolled with a rolling pin.After caliber rolling, the beam will look roughly H-shaped and is ready for fine tuning. To do this, the beam is fed through a universal mill. Within the universal mill, there are rollers called H-rolls and V-rolls that are rolled horizontally and vertically along the beam, ensuring that the beam stays in place while continuing to form the steel into the H-shape. The H-shaped cross-section is fully formed when the material passes through the universal mill. The beam can also be fed through an edging mill to adjust the flange widths.

Materials Used in Wide Flange Beams

Steel is the most common material used to make wide flange beams. Specifically, carbon structural steel and high-strength, low-alloy structural steel are used. Steel is favored because it’s highly customizable, durable, easy to work with and long lasting.

Wide Flange Beam Sizes

Wide flange beams range in weight bearing capacity from nine pounds per foot all the way up to and exceeding 350 pounds per foot. They also come available in a variety of web and flange thicknesses. The length and thickness of a wide flange beam is best determined on a job-by-job basis. When looking at the best beam size for any project, it’s important to consider the force that will be applied to be beam, the weight the beam will carry, and the tension and compression the beam will undergo. Smaller beams work well when the pressure and weight is minimal, while larger, thicker beams should be used to support structures that bear large amounts of weight.

Buying Custom Rolled vs. Stock Wide Flange Beams

Whether you buy custom rolled or stock wide flange beams will depend on the project at hand. For many projects, standard stock sizes will be sufficient, as these cover the need of most projects. However, for unique projects, custom rolled beams might be necessary. Typically, it is more expensive to buy custom rolled beams.If adjustments for size need to be made, this is done during the manufacturing process with the universal mill (as variations on the flange thickness and web thickness can be made by adjusting the gap between the H-rolls and V-rolls). However, when beams with different web heights and flange widths are to be rolled, rolls made exclusively for these sizes will be employed instead.By combining caliber rolling with universal rolling, steel products of non-H shape can also be created, such as sheet piles and rails.

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Eiffel Trading is now offering brand new wide flange beams at a low cost! Coast-to-coast shipping is available for both stock options and custom rollings. Contact 800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com for more information.

H-pile beams are required when the ground under a building or a bridge cannot support its weight. This might happen if the building is too tall or if the ground is too soft. In either situation, a deep foundation system must be designed to transfer the foundation loads down through the steel piles to the denser rock or soil layers below.H-piles are square in shape, meaning they are as wide as they are deep. They have the same thickness in the flange and web. Unlike standard beams, the design of an H-pile beam allows for better weight distribution over a wider area, which results in the ability to support heavier structures.H-piles are commonly used as bearing piles in deep foundation applications and are driven into the ground to support bridges, buildings, factories and other large structures. H-piles are also used in other applications as bracing systems for cofferdams, and in beam and lagging walls. Finally, steel H-piles are commonly used for deep foundation and marine structures.

Process of Manufacturing and Rolling H-Pile Beams

H-pile beams are produced through a process called rolling. First, a beam blank (an unformed length of steel) is heated to make it malleable. The steel is then rolled using caliber rolls in order to form the beam into a rough H-shape. After the rolling is complete, the beam will undergo fine tuning using a universal mill and an edging mill. Within the universal mill, there are more rollers called H-rolls and V-rolls (which stand for horizontal rolls and vertical rolls), which run along the top, bottom and sides of the beam to shape it, while at the same time holding it in place. The H-shaped cross-section becomes fully formed when the material passes through the universal mill.

Materials Used in H-Pile Beams

Steel is commonly used to make H-pile beams because it’s highly customizable, durable, easy to work with and long lasting. While H-pile beams can be crafted from new steel, they’re often made from recycled steel, or “scrap.” It’s a common misconception that recycled steel must be old or corroded, but this isn’t always the case. The recycled steel used to make H-pile is often in good condition, or sometimes brand new. New steel might be sold as “used” or “surplus” if the steel was left over from another project, such as in instances where more steel was ordered than needed.H-pile is 100 percent recyclable. This means it can be pulled from the ground and reused decades after use, making it one of the most environmentally friendly piling materials.

H-Pile Beam Sizes

H-Piles are structural beams that are dimensionally square. This design allows H-piles to transfer structural loads to stronger soil layers deep below the initial layers. H-piles are commonly available in 8", 10", 12", and 14" lengths. However, 16” and 18” piles can also be found.In regards to weight bearing capacity, individual piles can support as much as 1,000 tons. These piles are more efficient in dense soils that offer pile resistance at the tip for point bearing capacity. When constructing a pile system on rock, steel H-piles are considered the best and most reliable option.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading is now offering brand new steel H-Pile beams at a low cost! Coast-to-coast shipping is available for both stock options and custom rollings. Contact 800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com for more information.

Work Boats are indispensable in offshore construction. These relatively small, secondary boats work alongside larger vessels and barges to provide transportation services, towing capabilities, materials, equipment, and manpower where needed. Below is an overview of the types of work boats common in offshore construction with some additional information about the parts they play:

Tug Boats

Tug boats are used to moor, berth, and transport larger vessels used for offshore construction. Oftentimes, they are used to tow or push bigger boats to the port, boats that otherwise would not be able to get close enough to a harbor without their help. They are particularly useful for the transportation and mooring of non-self-propelled barges as well as oil platforms. Tug boats are commonly used to haul the following types of barges in the construction realm: sectional barges, spud barges, accommodation barges, deck barges, and crane barges.

Push Boats

Push boats serve many of the same purposes as tug boats. They can help moor, berth, and transport other, larger vessels. What differentiates them is that their design only allows them to push, rather than pull another boat. Their hull is not engineered for pulling. In most cases, pushing is more efficient than pulling of a large vessel or barge, and push boats are suitable for a number of jobs in offshore construction.

Crew Boats

These types of boats aid in the transportation of offshore crew members on water. They also help transport deck cargo and cargo that’s below deck like drinkable water and fuel. Crew boats are popular in construction operations and operations involving drilling rigs, oil platforms, and wind farms, as they allow the easy transportation of several crew members when needed. Many crew boats can accommodate between 50 and 100 people.

Commercial Boats

With many different kinds of Commercial boats on the market, this classification is somewhat broad. Generally, commercial boats are similar to recreational boats in design except that they’re used for business purposes, such as transporting crew members across bodies of water and serving as secondary vessels with cargo storage for offshore projects. It’s not uncommon to find commercial boats that are either inflatable boats or yachts. Most commercial boats are self-propelled, which allows for efficient and quick relocation.

Rescue Boats

As their name suggests, these boats, which include lifeboats, are used to provide emergency and rescue services to offshore construction projects. They are usually relatively small and powered by engines. This allows them to move quickly on the water and get where they need to go in the nick of time.

Support Vessels

Support vessels are a type of utility vessel that provide supplies and equipment to assist offshore projects in areas like construction, abandonment, field drilling, and decommissioning. There are different types of support vessels, including: ROV support vessels, survey ships, diving support vessels, and field support vessels. Each of these types of support vessels includes equipment and materials specific to its purpose. For instance, many survey ships come with instruments and lab tools that aid in the study of the geology, topography, hydrology, etc. of a particular offshore area to aid in subsea production system installation. In offshore construction, field support vessels are probably the most common.

Patrol Boats

Also sometimes called patrol crafts or patrol vessels, these boats are used for offshore and coastal security and law enforcement purposes. They are small, self-propelled, and can move across water quickly. Many of them are similar in terms of size and features to yachts. They are often deployed by coast guard, customs, and navy teams and are oftentimes used alongside rescue boats to aid in emergency situations involving offshore construction.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace hosts a wide variety of used marine equipment, including but not limited to used crew boats, used utility vessels (including commercial boats, patrol boats, and more), and much more. Additionally, our construction material inventory ranges from used crane mats, to new and used wide flange beams, and everything in between.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Used steel beams are beams that have been pre-used and are being resold for further application. Surplus steel beams are beams that were made in excess. New, used and surplus steel all have advantages and disadvantages. While used and surplus wide flange and H-pile beams are cheaper than new beams (and can be used in many of the same ways), there are some instances where the integrity of the used steel makes it unsuitable, and therefore new steel should be used instead.

The Difference Between New, Used and Surplus Steel

New or “prime” steel is one of the most commonly used products in the steel industry, and each year millions of tons of steel are manufactured and sold around the world. Used and surplus steel, on the other hand, does not come directly from the manufacturer but rather from a job site or other location where it’s been used before, or was left over from a prior project.It’s a common misconception that surplus steel must be dirty or old, but this isn’t the case. Often, surplus steel is brand new (such as in cases where excess steel is left over from another project) or like-new. Similarly, new steel might be resold as surplus in instances where the steel was ordered but rejected on site due to incorrect length or size.

Price Between New, Used and Surplus Beams

Cost is an important factor to consider when determining whether to purchase new, used or surplus beams. As expected, used wide flange and H-pile beams will cost less than new beams due to the fact that they’ve been used before. Used beams might start at around $0.30/pound, while new beams can cost many times that amount. Similarly, surplus steel is less expensive than similar new products, even if they are about the same quality. Surplus steel might have minor defects or slight corrosion from being stored, but it will generally have plenty of useable life left. In addition, geographic region can affect the price of new steel beams. For example, a mill on the west coast may have higher prices than one on the east coast due to their market.

Custom Rolling Options vs. Stock Beams

For many projects, standard stock beam sizes will be sufficient, as these cover the needs of most jobs. For example, H-piles are commonly available in 8", 10", 12", and 14" lengths. For projects that require beams of this size, there is no need to go the custom manufacturing route; you can instead purchase stock beams to fit your needs. Similarly, the option to purchase surplus beams is still available, since it is more likely that surplus beams will come in the sizes required.Some unique projects, however, require sizes that do not fit into the standard stock size range. In these instances, custom rolled wide flange or H-pile beams might be necessary. In order to manufacture a custom rolled beam, new steel will need to be used. Typically, it is more expensive to buy custom rolled beams, both because the steel that must be purchased for the project is new, and also because the project is custom.

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Eiffel Trading is now offering NEW steel h pile, wide flange beams, and steel plates at a low price! Stock items and custom rollings are both available with coast-to-coast shipping. Interested in getting a quote? Call 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com today and a member of our expert sales team will assist you.

Tug boats are used to tow/pull commercial barges and vessels. Buying a used tug boat as opposed to a new one can save you a sizeable amount of money. And, luckily, there are numerous high-quality, used tug boat options out there. If you’re in the market for buying a pre-owned tug boat, here’s a basic checklist to help you out:1. Figure out the type of tug boat you need. Tug boats can be broadly classified into three types: harbor tug boats, seagoing tug boats, and river tug boats. Seagoing tug boats are usually the largest and most powerful, ideal for work in the ocean or deep sea. Harbor tug boats are medium-sized and powered. And river tug boats (also called inland tug boats) are best-suited for use in rivers and lakes. They’re sometimes referred to as push boats or tow boats. Smaller tug boats are easier to maneuver. The type of tug boat you should purchase will largely depend on where and how you’ll be using it.2. Assess how much horsepower you need. The diesel engines or twin-screw propellers of harbor and river tug boats produce between around 750 hp to 5,000 hp. Seagoing tug boats can produce up to a whopping 25,000 hp. How much horsepower you need from your tug boat depends on how much verve and power you want it to have when pulling other vessels and sea equipment.More hp also generally means faster movement on the water and quicker acceleration, which can make a big difference in terms of efficiency. The maximum speed of a tug boat is measured in knots, and tug boats can reach between around 5 and 15 knots. Maximum speed is something you should take in account in addition to horsepower. Generally, the more horsepower as well as speed capability you get with the type of tug boat you’re shopping around for, the better. Used tug boats can vary widely in terms of horsepower, so try to get the most power for your budget.3. Consider bollard pull. Horsepower isn’t the only indicator of how much and how well a particular tug boat can pull. Bollard pull is also important to consider. Bollard pull is essentially a standard measurement of how much a tug boat can pull/tow, particularly in zero speed pulling scenarios. For medium-sized and powered tugboats, between 35 tons and 65 tons of bollard pull is standard. The more bollard pull, the better if you know you’ll be towing relatively sizeable vessels and barges. Bollard should match up with horsepower in most cases. So, if you’re looking to invest in a seagoing tug boat with a lot of hp, make sure it comes with a lot of bollard pull as well.4. Factor in extras for crew members. Many tug boats come with living quarters, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. for crew members to use while they’re in the middle of towing projects. Ultimately, these add-ons can help you increase the satisfaction of your crew members and boost the efficiency of your projects. Paying a bit more for these amenities may be a good idea for many tug boat buyers. On the other hand, sometimes these amenities may be superfluous if projects don’t require crew members to stay overnight, for instance.5. Don’t overlook overall quality/condition. Things like horsepower, bollard pull, and add-ons don’t matter much if the tug boat you invest in is a lemon and can’t get the job done. So, make sure you have a good idea of the condition of its engine and/or propellers, the condition of its exterior, and the condition of any on-board equipment. While a little bit of rust and corrosion may not be a red flag, a lot of it can be. It’s always better to invest in a used tug boat that’s been taken care of well. When buying a used tug boat from Eiffel Trading, we strongly recommend that you inspect the vessel or have the vessel inspected professionally. Our expert sales team is here to guide you through the buying process!

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In addition to used ocean tug boats and used inland tug boats, Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace boasts a wide variety of marine equipment for sale, including used crew boats, used sectional barges, and used spud barges. Furthermore, our material inventory ranges from used barrier wall, to used sheet pile, and everything in between.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

According to the Oxford Dictionary – Fair Market Value is defined as: “a selling price for an item to which a buyer and seller agree.” However, if you are a contractor concerned about money, you should learn how an economist defines the same exact term. An economist defines Fair Market Value as the price an asset sells in the open market when certain conditions are met. The specific conditions consist of the following: the parties have all the facts; they are acting on their own behalf; and (most importantly) free of pressure to buy or sell with ample time to make the decision. So why should you care? Keep reading and we’ll tell you!Have you ever heard a heavy equipment auction company claim that they help set the market for Fair Market Value? The construction industry has been conditioned to recognize Fair Market Value as THE way to economically put a value on their asset. However, the conditioning has been promoted by auction companies and in the wrong context – the Oxford Dictionary definition. All too often we see these auction companies issue a press release after their latest event: “Over $40,000,000 of equipment sold at our event”. Then, you dig a little deeper: 4,100 assets sold. $40,000,000 divided by 4,100 = $9,756.10 per asset. If you’ve ever driven past an auction yard or even been to a heavy equipment auction, we bet you’d gladly pay less than $10K for the big equipment you see in the yard – we would!In construction equipment economics these are the three common ways (and in our opinion, proper ways) to value a piece of equipment:1. Fair Market Value: FMV - (big $$) - sell your equipment to the right person at the right time i.e. a listing service like Eiffel Trading2. Orderly Liquidation Value: OLV - (medium $$) – sell your equipment in a reasonable amount of time on an as-is basis. i.e. Eiffel Trading Liquidations3. Forced Liquidation Value: FLV - (low $$) – sell your equipment as fast as possible to whoever will buy it immediately. i.e. an auction – Eiffel Trading can help, but we prefer to help our customers maximize the value of their assets first!As you start taking a hard look either at the idle company assets you have or assets you know you’re going to sell off a joint venture – consider the order of operation to maximize the value of your equipment:> Step 1: FMV – let people know you have it for sale, if it’s not moving after six+ months, go to the next step.>> Step 2: OLV – let people know you have it for sale and are motivated, if it’s not moving after another couple months, go to the next step.>> Step 3: FLV – send that thing to the auction so you don’t have to look at it anymore.Our goal is to never have to resort to Step 3, although sometimes it’s inevitable. Here’s an example of someone who went from Step 1 straight to Step 3 and how much it cost:Eiffel Trading had an early 2000’s Manitowoc 2250 available for sale around $650,000. According to the economic FMV of the equipment, that asking price was just north of the true Fair Market Value. After a few weeks of listing it, we brought an offer of $450,000 but it was declined. After a few months our customer decided to send it to an auction instead of moving to Step 2 – Orderly Liquidation Value. What happened next is gut wrenching. The crane was shipped to a physical auction location, then sold at the auction for less than $250,000. Not only did they sell it for $200K less than the offer they had on the line, they had to pay to ship it to the auction and then had to pay the auctioneer’s commission out of their 250K proceeds.xEiffel Trading’s mission is to help contractors maximize the value of their assets as much as possible. In partnering with our customers, we’re able to help them move assets at much higher values than what an auction can bring. And our Buyers are happy to find the right asset, at the right time, at a great price! Get started today – 1-800-541-7998 or sales@eiffeltrading.com.

Formwork in concrete construction, also called shuttering, is a structural mold in which fresh concrete is poured and hardened. Here are some things you should know about concrete formwork:

1) Formwork Makes Up to 25 Percent of the Cost of a Structure

The construction of concrete formwork is no small undertaking; it takes time and can cost up to 25 percent of the total price of the structure. Luckily, stripped concrete formwork can be reused to reduce time and cost. Reusable forms are known as “panel forms,” while non-reusable concrete forms are called “stationary forms.”

2) Timber Is the Most Common Formwork Material

Across the different construction sectors, timber is the most common material used for concrete formwork. The timber should be well-seasoned, lightweight, easily workable, and free from loose knots. The downside of using timber concrete formwork is that it will warp, but the application of water-based treatments to the surface of the wood can help reduce this effect.

3) Steel, Plywood and Fiberglass Are Also Used In Formwork

In addition to timber, concrete formwork can be made out of steel, plywood, and fiberglass. These materials can be used separately or together.The most common type of concrete formwork used in heavy civil construction is steel! Steel formwork consists of panels created from thin steel plates that are stiffened along the edges by small steel angles. The panel units are held together with clamps or bolts and nuts, and can be produced in large quantities in any shape or size. Steel formwork is stronger, more durable and has a longer life than timber formwork, and it will not shrink or warp.Formwork can also be crafted from resin-bonded plywood sheets. The sheets are attached to timber frames to make up the formwork’s panels. The cost of plywood formwork is comparable to that of timber formwork, and can sometime be cheaper.Fiberglass made of precast concrete and aluminium is used in cast-in-situ construction such as slabs or projects involving curved surfaces.

4) A Good Formwork is Strong But Light

A good formwork should be strong enough to withstand all types of loads, but it should also be as light as possible. The formwork should be constructed rigidly and braced both horizontally and vertically, so as to retain its shape. Similarly, the joints in the formwork should be tight against leakage and should rest on a firm base.

5) The Cost of Formwork Can Be Reduced

Though formwork constitutes a large portion of the cost of a structure, these costs can be reduced. In order to reduce the cost of formwork:

• The plan of the building should include a minimum number of variations to the sizes of the rooms so that the formwork can be reused
• The design of a building should use as few slender sections as possible
• Minimum sawing and cutting of wooden pieces should be made so that the material can be reused multiple times
• Formwork Can Sometimes Be Removed Early

Quickly hardening cement, warm weather and light loading conditions can allow for the early removal of formwork. Formwork should not be removed until all the concrete is able to withstand at least twice the amount of stress and pressure that the structure is expected to undergo. No matter when the formwork is removed, it should always be eased away gradually so that the load is slowly transferred to the concrete.

7) Steel Formwork Can be Resold

Because of its strength and long working life, there is a great used market for concrete formwork made of steel. Reselling concrete formwork after a project is a great way for contractors to make money. In addition, purchasing used and surplus formwork for a project is an equally great way for contractors to save money.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

In addition to concrete formwork, Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace hosts a wide variety of concrete equipment, including overhang brackets and concrete placing booms. Furthermore, our used material inventory ranges from used barrier wall to used and surplus sheet pile, and everything in between.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has been a leader in U.S. maritime safety for almost two centuries (150 years). ABS is a non-governmental agency that classes barges and other vessels based on criteria they refer to as “rules.” Their official Rules and Guides are based on a significant history of experience classifying vessels as well as the most current and advanced technological assessment tools. In order to be ABS classed, a barge must meet the organization’s standards in terms of stability, strength, safety, performance, energy efficiency, pollution standards, and quality of on-board machinery.There are numerous benefits to ABS classification. For one, ABS is one of the most trusted classifying bodies in the maritime industry. Additionally, ABS is recognized by over 100 governments for providing statutory services. And it has a global presence, with over 200 offices in 70 countries. A barge with ABS’s seal of approval meets stringent requirements, and, ultimately, ABS classed barges have more value than barges without this classification.Relying on their extensive published Rules, which can be found here for building and classing steel barges, here’s an essential breakdown of how ABS classification plays out:

• An ABS surveyor visits in-person at sea trials, at the construction shipyard, or at the manufacturing facility to inspect the barge to ensure it meets ABS’s guidelines.
• Barges must meet ABS requirements in the following areas in addition to many other areas: hull structures and arrangements, equipment, machinery, piping, electrical systems, and safety features for barges with personnel. Specific types of barges have specific requirements.
• If the surveyor decides the barge meets ABS’s Rules requirements, a certificate of compliance and classification is issued for the barge.
• When the barge is in service, its owner is required to participate in regular onboard class surveys that ensure it maintains its adherence to ABS’s Rules.

ABS classes the following barge types:

• Deck cargo barges
• Single skin tank barges
• Double skin tank barges
• Tank barges (otherwise not specified)
• Oil tank and fuel oil tank barges
• Liquefied gas tank barges
• Crane barges
• Accommodation barges

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• Integrated tug-barge combinations

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• Oil spill recovery barges
• Pipe laying barges
• Wind turbine project barges

As previously mentioned, within these categories of barges, ABS has specific rules and regulations and methods of assessment. Deck cargo barges, for instance, are assessed based on factors like the quality of their deck beams, deck girders, side and bottom frames, chords and transverses, truss arrangement, end connections, thickness of brackets and knees, and higher strength materials. In addition to being assessed according to the same factors as deck cargo barges, barges that carry dry cargo in holds below deck are evaluated based on factors like the quality of their bottom longitudinal frames, inner-bottom longitudinals, inner-bottom plating, drainage and drainwells, pipe tunnels, side girders, solid floors, and open floors.Other types of barges are evaluated according to their own specifics as outlined by ABS in their official rules. Oil tank and fuel oil tank barges, for instance, are assessed in the following areas: application, scantlings, aluminum paint, deck cargo, spill coaming, pollution prevention, cargo tank length, cargo tank volume, hypothetical outflow of oil or fuel oil, tank capacity, protective location of segregated ballast tanks, cargo transfer rate, vapor collection piping, gauging system, electrical installations, tank overfill protection, and other areas.ABS regularly updates their rules (every few years), and their requirements stay up-to-date based on industry standards. Overall, ABS classification is a major plus if you’re looking to invest in a barge. If it’s ABS classed, you can be sure it meets stringent requirements in terms of safety and quality.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s marketplace inventory includes both ABS class and non-ABS class barges, in addition to many other marine equipment options. Furthermore, our material inventory ranges from used barrier wall, to used crane mats, and everything in between.All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.

It is not a secret that the construction industry’s acceptance of technology solutions comes with more apprehension and push-back than other industries. Some of the most common phrases uttered in reference to new solutions: “I’ve always done it this way, I’ve been doing it for 30 years like this and made a pretty good living, why would I change now?” or “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”. The fact of the matter is a lot of things are broken and there are solutions out there to fix them!Every contractor we’ve come across has a construction yard to store their equipment and materials, if it’s not one, it’s several. The challenge with every contractor’s yard is once material and equipment go in, does anything ever come out? That question is a little facetious, but there are several items that go into the yard and fail to reemerge for years - losing all of their value over that timespan.Eiffel Trading is a technology solution tailored specifically for the contractor to help mitigate assets shipped back to the yard after a project. When you are working on project several hours or states away from your construction yard, it can get very expensive when it comes to demobilizing the project. We have worked on hundreds of projects from a few hundred thousand to a few billion dollars, helping avoid shipping assets back to the yard.Eiffel Trading’s marketplace can help you sell your assets directly to other contractors greatly increasing your bottom-line. Here’s a look at some numbers using precast concrete traffic barrier (i.e. jersey barrier/k-rail/single slope/f-shape, etch) as an example:> Freight to yard: $700/Load> 4,500 LF of F-shape – can haul 90LF/Load> Purchase Price: $13/LFBy selling your asset using Eiffel Trading’s marketplace here’s what your project budget could net based on the numbers above:Demobilization Savings:> 4,500LF/90LF per Load= 50 Loads x $700/Load = $35,000> Sale of F-Shape: 4,5000LF x $13/LF= $58,500.00> Net to the Budget: $93,500.00When you factor in the unloading equipment and labor expenses you would have incurred at the construction yard the project budget will realize a savings near $100,000.00 – huge savings! When the next project comes along, Eiffel Trading has multiple precast concrete traffic barrier listings to help you fill that need without breaking the bank! Give us a call today at 1-800-541-7998 or send us a note at sales@eiffeltrading.com!