Zidell Announces They Are Building Their Last Barge

If you want to see an era winding down, head to Portland's south waterfront where Zidell is building it's last barge. The company confirmed to Patch that the barge being built will be the company's last.

Zidell, which has been building barges on its 33-acre property for more than 50 years, decided that it's time to move on. The news was first reported by The Oregonian.

The barge building business has been declining for several years, according to the company.

The current barge should be completed next year and launch sometime in the spring. After that, the site will undergo months of industrial cleanup.

The paper reports that the barge building operation employs about 60 people - some of whom will be kept on to assist with the clean up.

In addition to the custom-built barges it delivers, Zidell also manages what it calls a diverse fleet for lease and charter.

That part of the business will continue.