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Ledcor’s extensive marine fleet has been bolstered by the addition of two new built-in-BC tugs that will operate along British Columbia’s Fraser River. Construction of the tugs was completed by Richmond-based Bracewell Marine Group, a family-operated marine refit and construction company with a long history of providing top-quality industrial marine vessels. 

“In addition to providing business diversification for Ledcor, these acquisitions bring new jobs and economic opportunities to the local marine industry,” said Mark Houghton, Chief Operating Officer of Ledcor’s Marine Operations. 

In keeping with tradition, the tugboats have been christened the Herb L. Ledcor and the Lorne M. Ledcor after two founding members of Leduc Construction, the predecessor to Ledcor. The Herb L. Ledcor is named after Herb Lede and the Lorne M. Ledcor is named after Lorne Mittelstadt. Both Herb and Lorne joined the company in 1947 as equipment operators. Herb retired as Chairman in 1993 and Lorne retired as Executive Vice President, Business Development in 1986. 

Both the Herb L. Ledcor and the Lorne M. Ledcor are equipped with two Caterpillar C18 Acert diesel engines that provide each tug with 1340 horsepower at 1,800 RPM. Each tug is 48' long, 22.5' wide, 10' deep, and will provide accommodations for up to two crew members. The tugboats are unique in that many of the design and outfitting features were products of input from Ledcor mariners, with operations on the Fraser River in mind.  This includes the pilot house layout, location of multiple control stations, and the increased visibility from the pilot house for safe operations. 

Ledcor’s marine division is comprised of nine tugboats and 22 barges, serving clients in the forestry, bio-energy, and industrial sectors. With the addition of these new vessels, the total combined horsepower of Ledcor’s marine fleet is 10,770. 

Eight of the nine tugboats in Ledcor’s fleet operate in the Vancouver area, with one vessel servicing the Victoria area. The new tugboats have ports-of-call including Mission, Maple Ridge, Langley, Surrey, Delta, Richmond, Vancouver, Port Mellon, and Sechelt.