About Us
ABOUT US
Barge Manufacturer
120+ years building the equipment that moves the inland waterways.
WHO WE ARE
Built on the river. Trusted across it.
NABRICO Marine Products is a leading manufacturer of barges used to transport cargo on U.S. inland waterways. We build dry cargo barges — flat-deck and hopper — that move grain, coal, and aggregates. We build tank barges that carry petroleum, fertilizer, ethanol, chemicals, and other liquid cargoes. And we're the largest U.S. manufacturer of fiberglass hopper barge covers, primarily used on grain barges.
- 01 Dry Cargo Barges
- 02 Tank Barges
- 03 Fiberglass Covers
OUR HERITAGE
120+ years on the water.
From a Tennessee bridge builder to one of the largest inland barge builders in the world — the NABRICO name has shaped marine manufacturing for over a century.
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1902
Founded
Arthur J. Dyer founds the company in Tennessee, originally to build bridges and steel infrastructure.
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1915
Into the water
The company pivots to marine construction, building its first floating derrick hull for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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1946 — 1960s
An industry leader
After WWII, focus shifts to private vessels. A signature towboat and tank-barge design with efficient bow rakes takes hold, and by the 1960s the company is one of the largest inland barge builders in the world.
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1969
New ownership & expansion
Acquired by George Steinbrenner, who expands operations by adding a second shipyard in Ashland City, Tennessee.
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1972
All in on marine
The structural steel and bridge-building operations are sold off so the company can focus entirely on marine manufacturing.
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1995
The Trinity era
Sold to the Trinity Marine Group. Soon after, the historic downtown Nashville yard closes to make way for Nissan Stadium.
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2021
AWO Safety Award
The American Waterways Operators recognizes our new-build 30K Clean Tank Barge with the TBOS Safety Award.
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2026
Independence
Divested and renamed NABRICO Marine Products — returning to the historic name that defined the business for nearly a century.
AWARD-WINNING SAFETY
2021 AWO Safety Award.
Recognized by the American Waterways Operators for the Tankering & Barge Operations Subcommittee (TBOS) Safety Award.
A safer way to tanker.
Our team won the 2021 American Waterways Operators (AWO) Safety Award for the new-build 30K Clean Tank Barge. The award recognizes operators that improve equipment or processes to enhance safety during tankering and transit.
The barge was engineered to enhance personnel safety and environmental protection through physical improvements and a new technology platform — covering everything from how crew move across the deck to how the vessel is monitored in operation.
Safety improvements included:
- Highlighted edges, steps & platforms
- Wider wing walls
- Flush hatches
- Fall-protection systems
- Onboard data collection
- Multi-angle deck cameras
