757-545-2414 ext 2450
Norfolk Barge Company
Norfolk Barge Company is proud to announce on July 13, 2026 the Barge Juan was launched from East Coast Steel Fabrication in Hertford, NC. East Coast Steel Fabrication built the Barge Juan sturdy with half inch
steel plate , the dimensions on the Barge Juan are 110'x 30' x 8'.
Norfolk Barge Company is honored to name the barge after Juan Martinez a dedicated Colonna's Shipyard employee that has helped Norfolk Barge Company keep their barges organized and maintained.
Juan Martinze came to Colonna’s shipyard as a welder on November 17,1987 . After working on the deck plates for several years, he was given the opportunity to be a weld shop supervisor. As a supervisor Juan ran a tight ship. Guiding his employees with his experience and knowledge of the trade . He expected an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay as he did when he was welding . After years of being a supervisor he was given the opportunity to be an assistant Superintendent under the watchful eye of hard driving Mr. Junior Furlough. Working with Junior for several years taught him the skills he needed to become a Superintendent ,which he has been doing for a number of years now. At 75 years old he’s still going strong and doesn’t appear to be slowing down much . Juan has also been taking care of Norfolk Barge Company’s barges for a number of years , anywhere from having them surveyed , repaired , blasted / painted ,or just moved around the yard . During all this Juan raised two twin daughters who are grow now with families of their own giving him 4 grandchildren,(2boys ,2girls) . Juan is also an avid gardener . He would bring bags and bags of vegetables, and of course peppers to his fellow employes quite often but you had to be very cautious when eating the peppers. He believes the hotter the better . In closing Juan has been a dedicated Colonna’s Shipyard employee for 39 years now and still going . Juan strongly believes in giving a honest day's work for an honest day’s pay along with our key values :Respect, Pride , Truth, Family
About
Norfolk Towing & Lighterage Company trading as Norfolk Barge Company is a family owned and operated business established in 1917 . Norfolk Barge Company is a trusted source of classed and unclassed , deck and spud barges .We offer specific industry knowledge and attention to customer service. We are located in the Port of Hampton Roads on the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River.
W.W. Colonna III President
bcolonna@colonnaship.com
Wanda Drees General Manager
wdrees@colonnaship.com
Billinda Colonna Executive Assistant
bncolonna@colonnaship.com
Norfolk Barge Company has 20 flat deck and spud barges, ranging from 24 ft. to 160 ft. in length, some of which are ABS classed.
757-545-2414 ext 2450
flat deck and spud barges available
Norfolk Barge Company has ONE ABS classed barge
The barge Linda 160 x 54 x 8
And several built to
ABS SPECS
friendly , personal
customer service
with industry specific knowledge
